Natural Awakenings Fort Myers/Naples Florida- August 2021 by swflnaturalawakenings

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August 2021

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"WE ARE TRANSFORMING THE FUTURE OF HEALTHCARE" Personalized. Diverse. Inclusive. Regenerative Whole-Health and Well-Being Benefits. It’s how KnoWEwell is transforming the future of healthcare. Award-winning. One global online destination for today’s trusted Regenerative Whole Health knowledge, resources, and ecosystem collaborating to inspire and empower individuals to prevent harm, address chronic diseases and achieve WELLthier Living – Happy. Healthy. Abundant. PurposeFilled. Join the movement as we share knowledge and healing success stories, access to evidence-based resources, immersive learning opportunities from the experts, and help create meaningful connections.. Take control and optimize your health and well-being by visiting: KnoWEwell.com As a Natural Awakenings reader, receive 50% off your first year of membership. Individuals apply:

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August 2021

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seLF care = seLF L♥ve

letter from publisher

The Happiness Issue

The Universe is 98% energy! everything found in, above and under has its own dynamic energy! Our entire body continually vibrates at a subtle level, moving energy and information through our connective tissues.

The L.i.F.e. sysTem

scans nearly 7,000 energy patterns. By identifying which energy vibrations are out of balance, the system can put them back into harmonic balance, allowing your body to return to a state of rest and healing.

Lisa DOyLe - miTcheLL • Certified Biofeedback Specialist by the natural Therapies Certification Board #5771

239.851.4729

We all want to be happy. But how can we remain cheerful during a pandemic, when we lose a loved one or when signs of climate change become increasingly apparent? Preparing for this month’s “Happiness” issue was a great reminder that no matter what’s happening in our lives, there are things we can do to help ourselves feel more love and joy every day. After two decades of research in positive psychology, we’ve come to better understand how to attain and sustain an upbeat outlook. When we change our thinking and act repeatedly in positive ways, our brains can actually rewire themselves, allowing us to experience greater contentment on a regular basis. Check out our feature story, “Think Yourself Happy: Seven Ways to Change Your Mind and Be Happier,” which offers study-proven strategies for sustained happiness, such as aiming for a three-to-one ratio of positive-to-negative experiences, reframing our thoughts, invoking self-compassion, questioning painful assumptions, deepening gratitude and practicing meditation, prayer and mindfulness (page 26). We are lucky to have our very own expert in the Science of Happiness, LuLu Carter, now offering programs at the first Positive Psychology Center in Southwest Florida. See page 30 for details. For many of us, creating real change in our lives will take more than reading an article or self-help book. To help accelerate the process, a life coach might be able to provide guidance and inspiration. Over the past 25 years, I’ve worked with several kinds of life coaches along my journey that have helped take me to new levels of being. Life coaches may specialize in business, parenting or weight loss, but their real function is to help us access our deeper wisdom and make better choices that align with what we truly want in our lives. Coaches have helped me generate new ideas, set goals and identify limiting beliefs that blocked me from moving forward. A few years ago, I was working with a local life coach who had designed this incredibly successful program that impacted me so much I invited her to do a series of weekly zoom call sessions for all of our Natural Awakenings publishers around the country. The results were stunning, as we all discovered ways to turn negative self-talk into affirmative statements reflecting what we really wanted to think and feel. By the end of the series, we had a whole new toolbox filled with ways to create the kind of life that reflected what we wanted, including a lot more self-love. I hope you’ll find some new tools to inspire you in this month’s story, “Unleash Your True Potential: Working with a Life Coach Can Help.” It even includes a sidebar on how to find the right coach for you on page 32. Meet four local life coaches ready to support you on your journey starting on page 34. As we move deeper into our Southwest Florida summer, perhaps you’ll look for new ways to bring more happiness into your days. You can start by smiling more! Research from this month’s Inspiration department (page 43) suggests that the act of smiling actually induces more happiness! Big Smiles,

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Sharon Bruckman, Publisher

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Natural Awakenings is a family of 50+ healthy living magazines celebrating 27 years of providing the communities we serve with the tools and resources we all need to lead healthier lives on a healthy planet.

Contents 20 POLLINATOR-FRIENDLY YARDS

Gardening for Wildlife with Native Plants

22 PRESERVING THE HARVEST

Classic Ways to Store Garden Bounty All Year

26 THINK YOURSELF HAPPY Seven Ways to Change Your Mind and Be Happier

32 UNLEASH YOUR TRUE POTENTIAL

Working with a Life Coach Can Help

34 LIFE COACHING AS A SELF-CARE MODALITY

36 BACK-TO-SCHOOL WELLNESS

Tips to Keep Kids Healthy

40 WATER SPORTS FOR A TOTAL BODY WORKOUT

Cool Ways to Stay Fit this Summer

ADVERTISING & SUBMISSIONS HOW TO ADVERTISE

To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, contact Christine Miller at 239-272-8155 or email ChristineM@ NaturalAwakenings.com for Collier County or Lisa Doyle at 239-851-4729 or email LisaD@NaturalAwakenings.com for Lee County. Deadline for ads: the 10th of the month.

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Email articles, news items and ideas to: NAEditor@NaturalAwakeningsMag.com. Deadline for editorial: the 10th of the month. Or visit: swfl.NaturalAwakenings.com/ Resources.

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43 SMILING CAN MAKE US HAPPIER

44 POWER UP FIDO Five Ways to Strengthen Your Dog’s Immune System

DEPARTMENTS 10 news briefs 14 health briefs 18 reader spotlight 19 global brief 20 green living 22 concious

eating

31 wise words 32 healing ways 36 healthy kids

38 business

spotlight 40 fit body 42 spa spotlight 43 inspiration 44 natural pet 46 calendar 49 resource guide 51 classifieds August 2021

news briefs

Peace Day Returns at New Location

he 14th Southwest Florida Peace Day Celebration will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on September 19 at a new location, the Wa-Ka-Hatchee Park, in Fort Myers. The free, fun, family- and petfriendly event is themed Come Together to connect like-minded people in the name of peace after a year

Fort Myers Laser Dentistry has New Owners

apart due to the pandemic. A new feature will be free crystal bowl therapy and performances throughout the day in the new Oasis of Peace Zone to contemplate and experience inner peace. Other attractions and activities include early morning yoga and qigong throughout the day, local vendors, unique artisans, nonprofits, live art, music, blood, food and pet food and supply drives, onsite service by Life Escape Counseling’s Charity Godfrey and other staff members, free reiki provided by Casa Shanti, free introductory acupuncture and kids’ activities, including rides. Attendees are encouraged to bring a blanket, yoga mat or chair at the return of this popular community event associated with the worldwide International Day of Peace held on September 21.

erald and Suzanne Lorino, both DMD practitioners, became the new coowners of Fort Myers Laser Dentistry in June. Along with associate Diane Deacon, DDS, they are all accredited by the International Gerald and Suzanne Lorino Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology and offer general, cosmetic and implant dental services with a holistic approach to promote overall health and wellness. The biologic or holistic dental treatment approach, featuring that the teeth are an integral piece of the body and overall health, is a highly suitable option for patients seeking to avoid the possible risk of acute toxicity from traditional processes. “Many patients choose a holistic dentist because it fits with their own philosophy about health care,” says Gerald. “They appreciate the extra consideration given to their complete wellness and the focus on preventing future problems, not just immediate issues, along with learning how a healthy mouth ties into a healthy body so they can confidently apply that knowledge to their own daily routine.”

Location: 16760 Bass Rd. For more information, including on becoming a vendor or event sponsor, call 239-560-5224 or email swfl4peace@email.com. Also follow on the event’s Facebook page.

Location: 1550 Matthew Dr., Fort Myers. For more information or to make an appointment, call 239-936-5442, email Info@FortMyersLaserDentist.com or visit FortMyersLaserDentist.com. See ad, page 21.

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Opportunity to Participate Learn About Ultrasonic Cavitation urely You Spa, in Naples, will conduct a special in-person in Algae Air Study

he U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Environmental Health (CDC/NCEH) is conducting a Cyanotoxins in Air Study, and people that live or work near Cape Coral canals, the Caloosahatchee River, Lake Okeechobee and St. Lucie River can participate. The study is seeking to find out if breathing in toxins made by cyanobacteria microorganisms, also known as blue-green algae, that grow in water can make people sick. Candidates must be 18 years or older, spend at least two hours outside on most days of the week, be willing to participate in study activities that include having a lung function test and meeting with staff members multiple times when a bloom is present in their area through October. Participants will receive incentives for volunteering their time and receive the clinical results from the study. The CDC/NCEH will take all necessary steps to protect study participants from COVID-19. The exposure assessment will be conducted following all state, local and CDC guidelines in place at the time of all interactions. There is no cost for participating. For more information or to participate, call 561-2974631 or email cast@cdc.gov.

and Zoom presentation on ultrasonic cavitation (liposuction), a recently added service, at 3 p.m. on August 26. Attendees of either forum will learn how the 30- or 60-minute treatment, provided through September in two special discount plans and packages, can be combined with laser lymphatic drainage to help the body release toxins and fat. The non-surgical procedure attacks fat deposits using an ultrasonic device with a combination of radio frequency and bipolar technology. Sessions can be done weekly for a series of five to 12 treatments. Results are evident immediately and remain up to a week following treatment. Protocols are recommended for each individual’s needs to achieve desired results. Along with expert body and massage therapists, the certified organic spa also employs advanced holistic estheticians. Location: 3066 Tamiami Tr. N., Ste. 302. For more information, RSVP for the event or to make an appointment, call 239-331-8266, email Jenn@PurelyYouSpa.com or visit PurelyYouSpa.com. See ad, page 5.

Special Package, Staff Opening at Beautiful Health

eautiful Health, in Naples, is offering a special facial package. Customers that that buy three of their signature deluxe facials in August with a specialty peel or mask can get another one for free, a savings of $185. In addition, a free vagus nerve treatment is available with each facial at $30 off. The green clean boutique and wellness concept, which also operates a day spa, is also currently looking to hire a part- or full-time established licensed massage therapist esthetician that would either rent a room or work on a commission basis. Candidates can email their resumes for consideration to BeautifulHealth111@gmail.com. Location: 4947 Tamiami Tr., Ste. 106, in the Liberty Plaza. For more information, call 239241-5111 or visit BeautifulHealth.biz. See ad, page 25.

August 2021

news briefs

Mahany to Host Vegan Potluck Events

ue Mahany, owner of Spark Health Technologies, will host her first vegan potluck event for up to 10 people from noon to 2 p.m. on August 29 and the last Sunday of Sue Mahany each month at her home in Naples. Participants are encouraged to bring all kinds of dishes, both savory and sweet, with organic ingredients preferred. Along with the fun, social enjoyment of healthy delights, attendees will learn about Mahany’s business’ services, which include whole-body detoxification using a HOCATT ozone sauna, BEMER PEMF mat and hydrogen technologies to remove toxins from the body. As a certified Blue Zone member company, she supports the organization’s mission of increasing the amount of plants in people’s diets for optimal wellness. For more information or to register and receive the address, call 802-752-6342 or visit SparkHealthTechnologies.com. Business location: 11983 Tamiami Tr. N., Ste. 150. See ad, page 37.

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Experience Project Nature Connect

roject Nature Connect (PNC) facilitator and educator Janet Weisberg will lead a nonverbal nature connect experience event beginning at 10 a.m. on August 14 at Cambier Park, in Naples. Attendees will gain an appreciation of nonverbal understanding and experiencing life and nature through bodily senses, many of which are noticed for the first time through experiential, PNC nonverbal exercises. “The language center in our brain interferes with our ability to feel our experiences rather than interpreting them. We don’t need words to listen to and connect with nature, which is essential to our being. PNC exercises gently assist reconnection to sensory knowing referred to as self-evidence,” explains Weisberg, whose personal experiences with PNC practices resulted in an understanding of how being removed from direct experiences with nature, as well as intellectualizing life and living in the past or future, can result in humans seeing themselves as separate from nature. Location: 755 Eighth Ave. S. For more information and to RSVP, email Janet_PeacePrevail@me.com.

Spirit Fest in Punta Gorda

he Spirit Fest: Metaphysical and Holistic Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on August 21 and 22 at the Charlotte Harbor Event Center, in Punta Gorda. There will be 100 booths with vendors, practitioners, readers, artists, authors and demonstrations. “This will be the largest event like it in Florida!” says producer Mary Ellen Popyk. “You’ll find some of the best intuitive readers in the country, also crystals, jewelry, spiritual supplies, holistic health specialties, natural products and much more.” Speakers and special guests are scheduled throughout both days on a variety of topics. Maureen St. Germain, an internationally acclaimed Ascension teacher, bestselling and award-winning author, will be the featured guest speaker, presenting on both days. Entrance fee: $15 each day or $25 for the weekend; children 12 and under free. Discount admission coupons and more information are available at SanctuaryFL.com. Location: 75 Taylor St. Also call 321-313-2543. See ad, page 42.

News to share?

Send your submissions to: NAeditor@NaturalAwakenings.com August 2021

health briefs

Avoid Air Pollutants to Protect Children’s Mental Health

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Exposure to even moderate levels of traffic-related air pollutants during childhood results in a greater risk of mental illness by age 18, Duke University researchers report in JAMA Network Open. In the study, the psychiatric health of 2,000 twins from England and Wales followed into adulthood was compared to recorded levels of air pollution in their neighborhoods. Twenty-two and 84 percent of the twins, respectively, were found to have had exposure to nitrogen oxides and fine particulate matter that exceeded World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Higher levels produced the most symptoms, including depression and anxiety. The effect, although weak compared to family history, equals that of other neurotoxicants known to harm mental health, particularly childhood exposure to lead. Previous evidence suggests that air pollutant exposures can cause inflammation in the brain and may lead to difficulty regulating thoughts and emotions. WHO estimates that nine of 10 people worldwide are exposed to high levels of outdoor air pollutants emitted by vehicles, waste disposal, power plants, factories and other industrial processes. Studies show increased hospital admissions for many psychiatric illnesses during poor air quality days in China and India. “Because harmful exposures are so widespread around the world, outdoor air pollutants could be a significant contributor to the global burden of psychiatric disease,” says lead author Aaron Reuben.

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Eat Oily Fish to Live Longer Omega-3 fatty acids have previously been linked to better heart, brain, eye and joint health, and a new large-scale analysis published in Nature Communications suggests that omega-3s from oily fish may also extend lifespan. Researchers reviewed pooled data from 17 studies of 42,466 people that were followed an average of 16 years. Those that had the highest amount of fish-based omega3s in their blood—at the 90th percentile—had a 13 percent lower risk for death than people with omega-3 levels in the 10th percentile. The risk of dying from cardiovascular disease was 15 percent lower and from cancer 11 percent lower. The blood levels of alpha-linolenic acid omega3s obtained from plant-based sources like nuts and flaxseed did not show a conclusive link to lower mortality.

Holistic concierge Pediatric care

Thornburg Pediatrics is happy to announce the addition of ~ Mary M. Baron ~

Dr. Mary has joined Thornburg Pediatrics as a Doctor of Nurse Practice. She earned her degree from Florida Gulf Coast University and is also Board Certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner. Additionally Dr. Mary holds a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Johns Hopkins University and a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of Notre Dame. Mary has 17+ years experience in healthcare, including 10 years at Boston Children’s Hospital. As the mother of a 10-year-old girl, she embraces a holistic view of health and wellness. Mary Baron will be a wonderful addition to the Thornburg Pediatrics’ team. We are very excited to have her on staff.

Hi, I’m Dr. Brian Thornburg. My concierge practice combines western allopathic medicine with functional healthcare. I’m available 24/7 to my patients and deliver what you need, when you need it. Contact me today to discuss how my practice can serve your family.

Here to heal, on your terms.

239.348.7337

www.thornburgPediatrics.com

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5500 Bryson Drive, Suite 301, Naples, Florida 34109

August 2021

Easing Parental Coronavirus Anxieties by Linda Sechrist

Numerous psychologists and medical doctors are busy sharing advice with patients that have school-aged children preparing to leave behind their virtual teachers for an in-the-flesh live version in a brick-andmortar classroom. “While preparing children physically and emotionally for the return, it’s also likely that the parents need advice that assuages the fears and anxieties that they have for their child’s risk of contracting COVID-19,” says concierge pediatrician Dr. Brain Thornburg, owner of Thornburg Pediatrics, in Naples. “I find that sharing the Centers for Disease Control’s [CDC] statistics regarding the extremely low mortality rates among children helps to quell a parent’s disabling coronavirus stress and anxiety, largely the result of “worst-case scenario” thinking. For example, in the U.S., where there are 73 million children in the 0-17-years category, between January 2020, and July 7, 2021, 331 deaths were the result of COVID. This means a child’s likelihood of dying from COVID is 0.0000045 percent. (CDC.gov/nchs/nvss/vsrr/covid_ weekly/index.htm) Holistic c A study published by the CDC in August 2020 showed Pediatr children had a 0.0000001 percent to 0.0000004 percent Thornburg Pediat chance of being hospitalized due to COVID (CDC.gov/ is happy to annou mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6932e3.htm). “To put this in the addition of perspective, a 0-15 year-old child has a 0.000014 percent ~ Mary M. Baron chance, or a threefold greater risk of death from a bike acDr. Mary has joined Thornburg Pediatrics as of Nurse Practice. She earned her degree from cident per the National Institutes of Health (PubMed.ncbi. Gulf Coast University and is also Board Cert Nurse Practitioner. Additionally Dr. M nlm.nih.gov/8437084). “We do not limit ourFamily children from a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Johns H University and a Bachelor’s degree the pleasure and joy that comes with riding bikes with their in Accountin University of Notre Dame. friends and getting exercise because of this statistic. Mary has 17+ years experience in health 10 years at Boston Children’s Ho “In my opinion, your children, and the eightAsincluding that are the mother of a 10-year-old girl, she emb holistic view of health and wellness. Mary Baro mine, should return to school feeling safe that they wonderful addition to the Thornburg Pediatr We are very excited to have her on sta will be fine over the next many years,” advises Thornburg.

Dr. Brian Thornburg is a holistic and board-certified pediatrician and owner of Thornburg Pediatrics, located at 5500 Bryson Dr., Ste. 301, in Naples. For more information call 239-3487337 or visit ThornburgPediatrics.com. See ad, page 15. 16

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Get Knowledgeable Help with Hemp-Based Choices by Linda Sechrist

ix years of working in “Generally, people either different Breckenridge answer the survey questions and Boulder, Colorado, on our website beforehand or dispensaries licensed to come with a list of symptoms sell cannabidiol (CBD) and they are concerned about. medical marijuana products Sometimes their list includes gave Stacy Roberts the opthe prescriptive medicines portunity to gain experience they are taking so that we she now uses to consult with can make sure that none customers at the Hempra of our products will cause retail store in Naples she coproblems interacting with owns. Roberts also gets to their medications,” says the use the valuable knowledge licensed esthetician, who Stacy Roberts she acquired in a 600-hour particularly appreciates helpprogram to study medicinal plants at ing individuals choose CBD products that Herbalism Roots, in Denver. help with their skincare issues. “My work now is resembling much of It’s not necessary for customers to come what I did in the Colorado dispensaries, to the store. “When they answer the survey specializing in matching the customer with questions on our website, we can choose the right CBD products for their specific the products based on their answers or needs, such as relief from pain, insomnia, they can make their own selections,” says anxiety, arthritis and other health issues. Roberts. “They can also call us. We have For the best customer outcome, it’s very im- CBD in many forms, such as drops and portant to purchase the right product and tinctures, as well as edibles such as chocouse it on a consistent basis. When people lates, gummies and lozenges. We also have buy products that they don’t use correctly, others such as a breath mist in addition they don’t get the results they are expecting. to skincare products, which are one of my That’s why educating customers and probest sellers.” viding clear instructions for use is critical to the outcome,” says the Naples resident. Hempra is located at 4584 Enterprise Ave., Roberts’ one-hour consultations are Ste. 3, in Naples. For more information call available by appointment only for individ239-778-8738 or email Info@Hempra.com. uals that prefer a personalized experience. See ad, page 12.

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reader spotlight

How Should I Wear My Hair? IntroducIng

Facial Symmetry analySiS

A half hour long beauty consultation that analyzes a series of facial measurements to help determine the moSt Flattering hair Style that you can wear now.

Meet Lisette Morales Naples resident Work: I divide my time between teaching in-person art in after-school programs through the United Arts Council of Collier County and my freelance photography work, which I’ve been doing professionally since 2016, after surviving a life-threatening illness. Creating and teaching art is my calling, and in my photo projects I highlight stories about humanitarian, social and ecological issues. My most recent work is a participation in the public art exhibition #IAMWATER on billboards in Brooklyn, NYC, with a photo of Miccosukee grandmother Betty Osceola in the Everglades. Proudest Achievement: Without a doubt it is to see my children, who are now 20 and 24 years old, go into the world as young adults with aspirations. Expectations for the Future: I try my best to live fully in the present with the hope of positive outcomes as results of the actions and decisions we make individually and collectively. Favorite websites: I often visit the cooking section of NYTimes.com, AmyMyersMD. com for Autoimmune Protocol Diet (AIP) recipes, WGCU.org, VisionandJustice.org, Vice.com, GordonParksFoundation.org for inspiring essays and photos, NationalGeographic.com, and Instagram.com.

Betty Ann Murphy • Master Stylist • Color Expert • Advanced Volumation Eyelash Extension Expert Trained and certified by Xtreme Lash

Local or global causes supported: Local causes are Cultivate Abundance and Misión Peniel Food Pantry, Shelter for Abused Women and Children, and Our Daily Bread Food Pantry. International causes are Doctors without Borders, UNICEF and Kiva. Favorite thing about Natural Awakenings: The quality of the writing and the wellresearched, trustworthy pieces of Linda Sechrist and Sandra Yeyati. Most frequented healthy food restaurant: My partner Sean McCabe and I love cooking at home. We occasionally indulge in delicious and healthy foods from Chef Brooke’s Natural Cafe and Green Cup Café, in Fort Myers, as well as Café Nutrients and other spots in Naples. How I support my community: I purchase locally as much as I can. I shop at farmers’ markets, alternating between Naples, Bonita and Fort Myers. I recently replenished my tea collection with new teas from Tigertoes Herbs and Teas.

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What I am doing to be the change I want to see in the world: I listen and follow the lead of our Indigenous communities for wisdom on caring for our planet and ourselves.

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global brief

Animal Alert

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UN Methane Report Faults Big Meat and Big Dairy The United Nations Environment Programme and the Climate and Clean Air Coalition have released a Global Methane Assessment of emissions from fossil fuels, agriculture and waste management. With livestock contributing 32 percent of the methane footprint, the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP) stresses the need to regulate and mitigate methane emissions from global meat and dairy companies. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has also identified the factory farm system of hog and dairy operations with liquified manure lagoon systems as responsible for rising methane emissions related to agriculture. IATP European Director Shefali Sharma says, “Disappointingly, the assessment calls for more technological fixes such as feed additives and biodigesters to reduce agriculture’s methane footprint, rather than addressing the core of the problem. Untenable growth of animals in the food chain is spurred on by a powerful meat and dairy industry that bears no costs for this environmental debacle, but passes it on to farmers and consumers.” The report provides evidence that a new policy framework accounting for the factory farm system’s emissions and aiding a transition to more scaleappropriate agroecological systems of animal production that will be less harmful to people and the climate is needed, according to Ben Lilliston, IATP director of climate strategies.

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Pollinator-Friendly Yards Gardening for Wildlife with Native Plants by Betsy S. Franz

pollen grains from the male anther of one plant to the female stigma of another, thereby helping plants to produce seeds for the next generation. According 20

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to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, these hard-working animals pollinate more than 75 percent of the world’s flowering plants and nearly 75 percent of our crops, including chocolate and coffee. Without pollinators, say biologists, neither the human race nor the Earth’s ecosystems would survive. Like many species, some pollinators are showing steady population declines, attributed in part to habitat loss and exposure to pesticides. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports that grassy lawns occupy almost 2 percent of the total U.S. land mass, making grass the single largest irrigated crop in the country, which is why the way that people garden and maintain their landscapes can either harm or help pollinators. Many people spending more time at home last year due to the pandemic did more gardening and maintaining of their own landscapes, often without realizing the significance and impact of their activities. “Now, for the first time in its history, gardening has taken on a role that transcends the needs of the gardener. Like it or not, gardeners have become important players in the management of our nation’s wildlife,” writes Douglas Tallamy, an agriculture and natural resources professor at the University of Delaware, in his book Bringing Nature Home. “Bees are what comes to mind when

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most people think of pollinators, but pollinators include many other species, including some flies, moths, butterflies, wasps and beetles, as well as bats, hummingbirds and even a few mammals,” says David Mizejewski, a naturalist with the National Wildlife Federation. Fortunately, the same principles that make home landscapes more inviting to pollinators also make it safer and friendlier for a wide variety of wildlife.

Rethink the Perfect Landscape

“One of the main dangers for pollinators is loss of appropriate habitat,” says Andre Kessler, an ecology and evolutionary biology professor at Cornell University. “To help them, give up your idea of the perfect, manicured landscape and aim to restore their preferred habitat.” Kessler suggests leaving part of a landscape a bit untidy by including native plants and mowing less often. “An island of native vegetation usually provides flowering plants year-round and, similarly important, nesting sites for native bees,” he says. Tallamy advocates halving the total amount of space devoted to lawns in the continental U.S.—reducing water, pesticide and fertilizer use—and replacing grass with plants that sustain more animal life. Leave the leaves, sticks and debris, says Mizejewski. “Many species rely on leaf litter for food, shelter and nesting material. Many moth and butterfly caterpillars overwinter in fallen leaves before emerging in spring.”

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or some people, perfectly mowed lawns without a trace of a weed or an insect makes them proud, but they may not realize that this method of gardening and landscaping could be harming the local ecosystem and the important pollinators that we rely on to keep food and flowers reproducing. Pollinators are the creatures that move

Choose Appropriate Plantings

Eliminate the Chemicals

“Probably the most important thing the home gardener can do to overcome the pollinator and broader biodiversity crisis is to avoid using any pesticides,” says Kessler. “The uncontrolled use of insecticides and herbicides is the major reason for the dramatic loss of insect life in general and most other organisms depending on those insects.” “It is now within the power of individual gardeners to do something that we all dream of doing: to make a difference,” Tallamy writes. “In this case, the difference will be to the future of biodiversity, to the native plants and animals of North America, and the ecosystems that sustain them.” Betsy S. Franz is a freelance writer and photographer who seeks a loving, sustainable balance between the nature of our world and the inner nature of man.

Learn More About Pollinators Ecoregional Planting Guides: Pollinator.org/guides Pollinator-Friendly Native Plant Lists: Xerces.org/pollinator-conservation/ pollinator-friendly-plant-lists Lawn to Wildflowers App: LawnToWildflowers.org/download Native Plant Societies: ahsGardening.org/gardening-resources/societies-clubs-organizations/native-plant-societies

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With so many different species of pollinators across the diverse terrain of America, few plants work for all locales. Most experts believe the best option is choosing native plants. The Pollinator Partnership (Pollinator.org) lists plants for each zone by ZIP code, as well as the pollinators they attract. There are also native plant societies in many areas that offer specific recommendations.

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levels can be increased with lemon juice. Vegetable pickles become acidic through the addition of vinegar. Heat-sealed jars are shelf-stable if the seals remain intact. Paul Fehribach, chef and co-owner of Big Jones, a restaurant in Chicago, gives canning tips in The Big Jones Cookbook. For pickles and preserves, he recommends using a simple canning kit with a tool to lift jars in and out of boiling water, a jar rack that sits in the bottom of a stock pot and Mason jars with new canning lids to hold the food. Both Paster and Fehribach suggest using professionally tested recipes. “Go to a reliable source, whether it’s a cookbook or a website, because there are some food safety issues. Recipes have been calibrated to have the right ratio of water and vinegar to vegetables to ensure it’s acidic enough,” says Paster. “Pickles are a great place to begin because they’re really hard to mess up.”

Preserving the Harvest Classic Ways to Store Garden Bounty All Year by Julie Peterson

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Refrigerator Pickling

hether gardening, purchasing at farmers’ markets or ordering from a community supported agriculture farm, preservation techniques capture the bounty of the harvest and ensure availability of fresh flavors year-round.

Dehydrating

“Dehydrating machines can be purchased for about $50, but an oven that goes down to a temperature of 150 or less will work,” says Brekke Bounds, educator at City Grange, a garden center in Chicago. Before dehydrating, consider the end use. Peaches or cherries can be cut into bite-size pieces. Roma or cherry tomatoes, sliced or cut in half and dried, can go in winter soups and stews. “Apple chips are super-easy,” Bounds says. “Core and slice with a mandoline, dunk in a lemon solution, sprinkle with cinnamon, dehydrate and store in an airtight jar.” Foods can be seasoned or marinated before drying. “We make zucchini bacon for vegan BLTs,” says Anthony Damiano, chef proprietor at Counter Culture restaurant, in Vero Beach, Florida. Dried herbs chopped in a food processor can be stored in airtight containers and used up to a year later as flavorful salad toppings or soup mixes.

Canning

“One of my go-to methods is water bath canning,” says Emily Paster, author of The Joys of Jewish Preserving. “It’s a really safe and effective method of home preservation for highacid foods. Certain kinds of microorganisms, most specifically botulism, can’t live in a high-acid environment.” Fruits that go into jams and jellies are typically acidic enough, but 22

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The pickling process can be done without water bath canning, but the jars must remain refrigerated. The fun is in the quickness and variability of the recipes. Beyond traditional cucumber pickles, excellent pickles can be made with green beans, carrots, onions, cauliflower and green tomatoes. Brine can be dill, spicy or sweet. Damiano makes refrigerator pickles with a variety of local organic produce, including radishes, okra and other vegetables. The pickles are great for eating and can be used in salads and recipes like plant-based tostadas.

Fermenting

“Fermentation is an essential part of how people everywhere make effective use of food resources,” says Sandor Ellix Katz, fermentation revivalist in Liberty, Tennessee, and author of The Art of Fermentation. “Fermentation produces alcohol, helps preserve food by producing acids and makes foods more digestible, more nutritious, more delicious and sometimes less toxic.” Cultures around the world developed fermentation techniques as a practical method to prevent food decomposition. Studies show that fermented foods and beverages provide beneficial probiotics

to the gut microbiome. Anyone can give fermentation a try with ordinary kitchen tools—a knife, cutting board, mixing bowl and a jar. “Certain ferments, such as yogurt or tempeh, require specific temperature ranges,” advises Katz.

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Cold Storage

Many fruits and vegetables freeze well, but a basement or backyard root cellar is a noelectricity, cold storage method. Items that store well in a root cellar include most root crops and firm fruits like apples and pears. “Root cellars use the natural, cool, moist conditions underground for fruit and vegetable storage. Earth-sheltered options work best for cooler climates where the ground temp is naturally cooler,” says Laurie Neverman in Denmark, Wisconsin, creator of CommonSenseHome. com. Those with no outdoor spot or cold basement room can still use cold storage. “Some crops like onions, garlic, potatoes, winter squash, apples and carrots keep well in dark, dry, cool room temperatures of about 55 degrees,” says Neverman. Food preservation methods extend the blessings of the harvest. A little preparation now will provide edible delights for months to come. Julie Peterson writes from rural Wisconsin. Reach out at JuliePeterson2222@gmail.com.

‘Clean the Garden’ Kimchi This easy kimchi recipe turns common garden veggies into a spicy probiotic ferment that’s loaded with good bacteria and health benefits. yield: 32 servings 4 Tbsp sea salt and 4 cups water 1 lb Chinese cabbage (napa or bok choy preferred, but other cabbage will do) 1 daikon radish or a few red radishes 1 to 2 carrots 1 to 2 (minimum) onions (or shallots or leeks) 3 to 4 (minimum) cloves garlic 3 to 4 hot red chilies to taste (seeds removed, dried is fine, nothing with preservatives) 2 to 3 Tbsp (minimum) fresh grated ginger root Prepare brine in a nonreactive container such as a glass bowl or large measuring cup. Mix water and salt, and stir thoroughly to dissolve salt. Cut up cabbage, radishes and carrots. (Add in other vegetables as an option.) Mix vegetables together and move them into fermentation vessel. Cover vegetables with brine. Use a fermentation weight or plate with a heavy object to weigh the vegetables down and keep them below the brine. (Mix more brine if needed to make sure vegetables are completely submerged.) Put a cloth over the fermentation vessel and wait for vegetables to soften (a few hours or overnight). Drain the brine from the vegetables, reserving it. Give the vegetables a taste. They should be salty, but not too salty. Sprinkle on additional salt, if needed, and mix; rinse if too salty. Mix the onion, garlic, chilies and ginger into the drained vegetables and blend well. Pack the vegetable mix into the fermentation vessel. Use the fermentation weight or plate to press it down until the brine covers the kimchi-in-progress. Add a little brine back, if needed, to make sure the vegetables are completely covered. Cover the fermentation vessel with a cloth and leave it on the counter for about a week. Taste test to check the fermentation. When happy with the flavor, the kimchi is done. Store in the refrigerator in a glass container to stop the fermentation. Recipe by Laurie Neverman at CommonSenseHome.com.

Food Preservation Resources National Center for Home Food Preservation: nchfp.uga.edu Ball & Kerr recipes and products for canning: FreshPreserving.com Complete Dehydrator Cookbook, by Carole Cancler The Pickled Pantry: From Apples to Zucchini, by Andrea Chesman Root Cellaring: Natural Cold Storage of Fruits & Vegetables, by Mike and Nancy Bubel

Natural Awakenings recommends using organic, non-GMO (genetically modified) and non-bromated ingredients whenever possible. August 2021

Pineapple Tepache

yield: about 1 quart ½ cup sugar, or more, to taste (ideally piloncillo, panela or another unrefined sugar, but any type of sugar will work) Peel and core of 1 pineapple (eat the rest of the fruit), cut into 1- to 2-inch pieces 1 cinnamon stick and/or a few whole cloves and/or other spices (optional) Dissolve the sugar in about 1 cup of water. Place the pineapple skin and core pieces and spices into the vessel. Pour the sugar water

over the pineapple, then add additional water as needed to cover the pineapple. Cover with a loose lid or cloth and stir daily. Ferment for 2 to 5 days, depending upon temperature and desired level of fermentation. It’ll get fizzy, then develop a pronounced sourness after a few days. Taste each day after the first few to evaluate developing flavor. Strain out the solids. Enjoy fresh or refrigerate for up to a couple of weeks.

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Tepache is a wonderful, effervescent, lightly fermented pineapple beverage. It’s made from the skins and core of pineapple, making use of the parts typically discarded.

Recipe is an exclusive first look from the forthcoming book, Sandor Katz’s Fermentation Journeys (Chelsea Green Publishing, October 2021).

1 to 2 watermelon radishes ¼ cup white wine vinegar ¼ cup rice wine vinegar ½ cup water 1 tsp pink Himalayan salt 1 tsp sugar 2 cloves garlic, peeled 1 tsp ginger, microplaned ½ tsp peppercorns, lightly crushed

Zucchini Bacon

Recipe by Chef Anthony Damiano at Counter Culture, in Vero Beach, Florida. swfl.NaturalAwakenings.com

photo by Julie Peterson

Place in a single layer on dehydrator trays, making sure not to overlap. Set the dehydrator to 145° F and let the strips dehydrate for 4 to 6 hours. Remove them when they are crispy. Thicker strips may take longer. Eat immediately or store in an airtight container.

In a large bowl, combine oil, soy sauce, maple syrup, liquid smoke, chipotle chili pepper powder and season generously with black pepper. Whisk to combine. Using a vegetable Collier/Lee Counties

Recipe by Chef Anthony Damiano at Counter Culture, in Vero Beach, Florida.

peeler or mandoline, slice zucchini lengthwise into thin strips. Place strips in bowl and toss until coated in marinade. Let sit for several hours or overnight.

2 medium zucchini 2 Tbsp grape seed oil 2 Tbsp soy sauce 2 tsp maple syrup 1 tsp liquid smoke Pinch chipotle chili pepper powder Freshly ground black pepper

Wash and peel watermelon radishes. With a sharp knife or mandoline slicer, slice radishes into round discs. In a nonreactive saucepan, bring the water, white wine vinegar, rice wine vinegar, salt and sugar to a boil. Simmer for 1 minute or until the sugar and salt are dissolved. Remove from heat and add the garlic, ginger and peppercorns. Pour the hot liquid including the garlic and peppercorns over the radishes. Let cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate.

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Pickled Watermelon Radishes

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THINK YOURSELF HAPPY Seven Ways to Change Your Mind and Be Happier

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by Ronica O’Hara

hat is happiness? Aristotle pondered it, our country’s founders encouraged its pursuit, but only now—thanks to the thriving field of Positive Psychology—have we learned more precisely how to attain and sustain it. In thousands of studies in the last two decades, researchers have watched babies share crackers, put Tibetan monks in brain scanners, asked college students to do kind deeds and explored databases, among other strategies. A major finding has emerged: Happiness is, to a great degree, in our own hands—or more exactly, our own minds. “You get to choose,” says trailblazing researcher Barbara Fredrickson, author of Positivity and Love 2.0 and a professor at the University of North Carolina. “No matter where your river of emotions flows today, over time and with continued effort and attention, you can change its course and location to live a happier, more positive life.” Using advanced brain imaging technology, neuroscientists and psychologists have discovered that the brain is “plastic” and malleable. When we change our thinking and actions in positive ways, brain neurons start rewiring themselves to make newfound happiness settle in, especially if our practices are repetitive. “Interestingly, changes can start quite quickly,” says neuro26

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scientist Andrew Newberg, who has authored 10 books on the brain, emotions and spirituality, including Words Can Change Your Brain. “For those changes to become more fully ingrained, it can take a few months, but it does not necessarily require hours a day for many years.” A change in thinking shifted the behavior and life of John Peterson, a sales manager at a major West Coast auto retailer and editor of SafeDriveGear.com. “I was unhappy and miserable, so I decided to give gratitude a shot,” he recalls. “It was mechanical to start, but the reactions I got turned into a domino effect.” Instead of giving cursory thanks, he praised a co-worker’s kindness in handing him a daily cup of coffee; now they chat about their families. Instead of “keeping myself to myself,” he offered to help a neighbor he barely knew to clean gutters; now they’re “barbecue besties,” he says, adding, “I was kind of blown away at the incredible effect gratitude had on my life, both in improving my mental health and boosting my relationships. It was a real revelation to me!” Positive psychologists offer two major approaches: adopting habits that encourage happiness and clearing away the mental debris that blocks it. Many books and websites offer a wide range of theories, techniques and tips. “The most effective practices for

you are the ones that you enjoy and are willing to do more often,” says Tchiki Davis, Ph.D., a Psychology Today blogger and founder of The Berkeley Well-Being Institute. The following are researchbased methods to enhance happiness:

Aim for a three-to-one ratio of positive to negative experiences

The difference between languishing and flourishing, says Fredrickson in her book Positivity, is constructing a life in which heartfelt positive experiences outnumber the negatives by three to one. Positive experiences that flow from feelings such as gratitude, serenity, hope, awe and love can be as simple as exchanging smiles with a passerby, patting a friend on the back, joking with a cashier, picking up something that someone has dropped or planting a kiss on a son’s head. She emphasizes that the experiences must be authentic and heartfelt: acting “Pollyanna-ish” out of habit or pasting on a smile can actually make us feel worse, and positivity can turn toxic if it’s relentlessly turned on 100 percent of the time. “True happiness is not rigid and unchanging,” she says. When it comes to marriage, five positive interactions for every negative one is the “magic ratio” that makes it happy and stable, according to studies by renowned relationship psychologist John Gottman, author of What Makes Love Last. “Successful long-term relationships are created through small words, small gestures and small acts,” he writes.

Clear away pain by questioning assumptions

Positive reframing involves shifting misery-making thinking to see the positive side of any situation. Canadian researchers reported in a 340-person survey at APA PsycNet that during the pandemic, reframing was the most effective mental health strategy; people practicing it gradually felt better, while people that vented, distracted themselves or disengaged from others fared worse. Reframing strategies include viewing a problem as a challenge, a learning opportunity or a way to help others; finding the higher purpose or divine order in a bad situation; exploring what the unexpected benefits might be; and finding humor in a situation.

Of our estimated 12,000 to 60,000 thoughts per day, about 80 percent are negative and 95 percent are repetitive, says the National Science Foundation. Those noisy mental loops dampen our spirits by repetitively telling us that something regretful should not have happened in the past or is going to happen to blight the future. Few worries have real credence: A Cornell University study found that 85 percent of what people worry about never happens. Of the 15 percent of worries that did happen, 79 percent of people found they handled the problem better than they had expected or that they learned a valuable lesson from it. Cognitive behavioral therapists help clients to examine those beliefs and assumptions, challenge the dysfunctional ones and try out different interpretations to uncover the truth. Victor Blue, a Tampa transportation engineer, examined his difficult relationship with a tyrannical father by asking himself two questions that spiritual teacher and author Byron Katie suggests applying to any painful thought: “Is it true? Can you absolutely know it’s true?” Self-inquiring deeply, Blue realized he had a distorted view: His father had in fact loved him, but had lacked the capacity to show it with warmth or tenderness. “My father started with very little and saw a tough world and treated everyone tough,” he says. “And I came to realize that yes, I am able to father myself.”

the inner critic 3 Defuse with caring self-talk

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Another way to handle the inner critic is to transform it by befriending and chatting with it, a method used in voice dialogue therapy and in the Internal Family Systems approach. Jackie Graybill, a Seattle songwriter and piano teacher, calls her “mean girl” inner critic Brutista Dynasticus. “I’ll find myself responding to an inner thought like, ‘You look fat. Just how much weight have you gained over COVID?!’ with a recognition like, ‘Oh, Brutista, that wasn’t very nice. I may have some extra pounds, but this healthy body has gotten me through a freaking pandemic! Show a little respect, okay?’ This quiets her down because I’ve recognized her and addressed her, and I feel an inner sense of victory because I’ve brought a positive truth to bear. It’s a very empowering practice.”

Flip negativity by reframing experiences

Berating ourselves for our shortcomings is a sure route to suffering, but applying self-compassion powerfully lowers the volume. It involves three elements: treating ourselves as kindly as we would a dear friend; realizing that making mistakes is intrinsically human so we’re not alone; and non-judgmentally facing our emotions without denying or indulging them, according to its major theorist, psychologist Kristin Neff, author of Self-Compassion: Stop Beating Yourself Up and Leave Insecurity Behind. Numerous studies show that people that practice self-compassion have less selfdoubt and fewer negative thoughts, are less likely to feel anxious or depressed, enjoy better health and relationships and are more resilient and motivated to change.

Open the heart by deepening gratitude

Perhaps the most popular and direct approach to happiness is gratitude. Research shows that feeling and expressing thankfulness significantly boosts emotional well-being, makes us feel more connected and generous to others, and improves health and sleep quality. In one study, writing a few sentences of gratitude once per week for 10 weeks increased optimism and hope in participants; they even August 2021

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Well-Being Basics Besides using mental strategies, choosing happiness involves taking daily actions that enhance our well-being, as studies demonstrate. Eat a happy-making diet A gut-wisdom axis may exist. People with a greater diversity of the gut microbiome—the mark of a healthy diet—had higher levels of wisdom, compassion and social support, and lower levels of loneliness than people with less diverse microbiomes, University of California San Diego scientists reported in Frontiers in Psychiatry. A study of 12,000 Australians found that the more they increased their fruit and vegetable intake over a seven-year period, the happier and more satisfied with life they became. Eating eight servings a day was as happiness-producing as going from being unemployed to employed. Exercise even a little Whether it’s lunges or sun salutations, movement lifts us up. In a review of 23 published studies involving half a million people published in The Journal of Happiness Studies, University of Michigan researchers found strong evidence that any kind of exercise increases happiness; even as little as 10 minutes a day raises spirits. People that exercise at least 30 minutes on most days are about 30 percent happier than those that don’t exercise. Go for the doze Surveys show that getting enough sleep is the most influential factor in how people rate their daily mood, with good sleepers more likely to rate their life as happier overall. A University of California, Berkeley, study found that inadequate sleep makes our brains 60 percent more reactive to negative stimuli; in other words, being tired makes us grouchy. Love a lot A landmark study that began in 1938 and followed 724 Harvard students and working-class Boston youth for 80 years found that fame and achievements didn’t make them truly happy—warm, loving relationships with their family, friends and community did. In a 2020 study, Pennsylvania State University researchers found that simply becoming aware of daily experiences of “felt love”, defined as “micro-moments when you experience resonance with someone,” increases those heartwarming episodes and improves well-being. Do good deeds Performing five acts of kindness one day a week, such as helping a friend with a task, writing a thank-you email or donating blood, had a more powerful and long-lasting effect on college students’ happiness than spreading five good deeds over a week, reports University of California, Riverside, researchers. A four-year study of 13,000 retirees found that those volunteering more than two hours per week were happier, more optimistic and less lonely and depressed than people that never volunteered. Be nurtured by nature After walking in a natural setting, people ruminated less and showed increased activity in the subgenual prefrontal cortex, an area of the brain that lowers depression and anxiety, Stanford researchers found. In one study, people watching five minutes of Planet Earth felt 46 percent more awe and 31 percent more gratitude than people watching the news or a comedy show. Biological diversity also matters: European scientists found that an additional 10 percent of bird species in an area increases residents’ life enjoyment as much as a 10 percent increase in their income.

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exercised more and had fewer doctor visits than those writing about aggravations. Writing a thank-you letter to someone we haven’t appreciated enough in the past can induce a sense of wellbeing that lasts for at least six months, a University of Pennsylvania study found. Gratitude can be cultivated simply by daily journaling; writing a list every few days often works even better, research indicates. The more concrete the items are and the more freshly observed, the better: Rather than, “I’m grateful for my daughter,” it might be, “I’m grateful for my daughter because she made me laugh at breakfast by making a funny face.” Some people kick off their day by writing two thank-you emails; others find creative ways to fold gratitude into relationships. During the pandemic, Nadia Charif, a San Jose-based wellness and health advisor at Coffeeble.com, shared with her boyfriend a note-taking phone app in which they wrote the ways they appreciated each other during the day. “Somehow, no matter how frayed our nerves were, we remembered the last lovely entry and melted like ice to water,” she says. “It diffused many arguments before they escalated.”

the noisy mind with meditation, 6 Quiet prayer and mindfulness

Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, Newberg and other neuroscientists studied meditating Buddhist monks, prayerful Catholic nuns and mindfulness meditators. They found that each practice has its own distinctive pattern of brain activity, yet all three deactivate the brain regions that underlie mind chatter. That “default mode network” is constantly ruminating, nagging and making sure we avoid trouble. Sustained spiritual practices gradually turn down its everyday volume, which may explain in part the well-documented link between spiritual practices and well-being. Even brief meditations can have a quieting effect, counsels New York City psychologist and mindfulness teacher Loch Kelly, author of Shift into Freedom. In a quiet moment, he suggests, “Ask yourself, ‘What is here right now if there is no problem to solve?’”

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Lift up others with a positive outlook

The more we give with a full heart, the more happiness we experience, studies show—and the benefits radiate far beyond ourselves. Following nearly 5,000 people over 20 years, Harvard researchers found that one person’s happiness triggers a chain reaction up to three degrees away, lifting the spirits not only of friends, but friends’ friends, and their friends’ friends’ friends. Effects can last up to one year. It’s a vital way to help the world, says Fredrickson. “The happiness that you experience together with others has ripple effects, both biological and behavioral, that make whole communities healthier.” Health writer Ronica O’Hara can be reached at OHaraRonica@gmail.com.

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HOUSE OF GAIA Opens the Positive Psychology Center

by Linda Sechrist

ndividuals can discover their character strengths by taking a free personality survey at VIAcharacter.org just as Lulu Carter, founder of Naples nonprofit Bee Gaia, known by locals as The House of Gaia, did. An expert on happiness who studied at the Happiness Studies Academy, co-founded by Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar, author of Happier, No Matter What: Cultivating Hope, Resilience, and Purpose in Hard Times, Carter has observed how character strengths play a significant role in the pursuit of happiness and peace of mind. The peace that Carter refers to uses an acronym: P-positive E-energy A-activate Cconstant E-elevation. “We can create and share peace with one another by sharing our strengths,” she says. Carter, who recommends that her clients and participants at the center complete the character strengths survey, explains, “The VIA survey provides a wealth of personalized, in-depth information to help anyone understand their best qualities, including actionable tips on how to apply our strengths to find greater well-being. Character strengths are the positive parts of our personality that make us feel authentic and engaged. We possess all 24 character strengths in varying degrees. Research shows that understanding and applying our strengths can also help in boosting confidence, strengthening relationships, managing problems, reducing stress, accomplishing goals, building meaning and purpose, improving work performance, and increasing happiness.” 30

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Character strengths—capabilities for thinking, feeling, willing and behaving—differ from strengths in our talents, skills, and values. They reflect what is best in us, and can be viewed as part of our positive identity. Talents are strengths that express our innate abilities, which typically have a strong biological component and may or may not be well-developed. Skills are strengths that are specific proficiencies developed through training, such as computer literacy. Character strengths cut across all categories, including our interests, learning styles, resources and values, which are our enduring beliefs, principles or ideals of primary importance. “Looking retrospectively at our life and the choices we made, if we have identified our character strengths, we can see that they were the guideposts for our decisions. For example, my top character strengths are gratitude, creativity and spirituality. They were the foundation for the decisions I made in 2008 when founding and opening House of Gaia as a supportive learning community and social environment for children, teens, families, educators and individuals interested in learning about multimedia art, culture, language, well-being, environmentalism, global connectivity, community building and volunteerism,” explains Carter. Carter’s same top character strengths are now guiding her as she reopens House of Gaia Community Center with a new curriculum that promotes happiness. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to apply what I know about the science of happiness and mindfulness to the real-time practice of creating programs for the first Positive Psychology Center in Southwest Florida,” she says. House of Gaia is located at 1660 Trade Center Way, Ste. 1 and 3, in Naples. For more information call 239-272-6152. See ad, page 37.

wise words

Alberto Villoldo on Shamanic Healing by Marlaina Donato

Shamans mediate between the visible world of matter and the invisible world of energy and consciousness.

n his mid-20s, Alberto Villoldo, a psychologist and medical anthropologist, was the youngest clinical professor at San Francisco State University, where he founded and directed the Biological Self-Regulation Laboratory to decode the effects of energy medicine on the human brain. Villoldo eventually set aside the limitations of the microscope in search of a broader, more ancient perspective. His 10-year deep dive into the heart of shamanic culture in the Andes and the Amazon regions filled in the missing pieces of his research, but a dire health crisis decades later drove him to explore shamanic transformation. Today, Villoldo is in vibrant health and the author of bestselling books translated into several languages, including Grow a New Body: How Spirit and Power Plant Nutrients Can Transform Your Health. He is the founder of the Four Winds Society, which trains energy medicine practitioners in its Light Body School.

What is shamanism and the shaman’s role?

Shamanism is a philosophy and a lifestyle similar to Buddhism in many ways. It includes healing practices for clearing the imprints of trauma from the luminous energy field (LEF) that surrounds the physical body, and that organizes the body in the same way that a magnet organizes iron filings on a piece of glass. Shamans mediate between the visible world of mat-

ter and the invisible world of energy and consciousness. The understanding of the shaman is that what we call reality is simply the projection of a map of the world we carry within us. To change the world, you need to change the map, but the map only changes through sacred ceremony. Shamanism is making a comeback because we have exhausted our masculine, reductionistic and predatory Western paradigm. It offers a more feminine, participatory worldview that is founded on the notion of becoming Earth Keepers—stewards of the garden of nature.

How does shamanism address body, mind and spirit?

We need to think of the quaternity, including Gaia, the great mother. There is only one illness—disconnection from the great mother. There is only one cure, which is returning to Gaia. The luminous energy field is an information field. It contains all your genetic history—the story of the drama that runs in your family that you have programmed into the neural networks in your brain. Shamans discovered how to upgrade the quality of the information in the LEF. Out of the 40 million different species on Earth, only humans, whales and dolphins don’t have death programmed into their DNA. There are no grandmothers in nature; menopause doesn’t exist. The minute you cannot make babies, you are eliminated. We have the opportunity to take part in an experiment to grow bodies that are disease-proof, where our health span can equal our long lifespan.

What shamanic principle can we apply daily?

Our Western diet and antibiotic use have decimated our gut flora, and in the process, ruined our “gut instinct”—the basis of the shaman’s “second sight”, the ability to see the hidden nature of reality. You cannot meditate, heal yourself or others, forgive those who wronged you or stop feeling like a victim if your gut flora is compromised. If your gut is riddled with Candida, you will only perceive strife and be angry. Even if you live in a city, you can cultivate sprouts and make probiotic-rich foods.

How do you see our future?

I was trained as a medical anthropologist, yet what I do today is to train modern shamans; men and women versed in the ancient wisdom teachings and cutting-edge neuroscience. This is where the magic of science and shamanism meet. Western science and religion are very patriarchal and repressive of the feminine, confusing information for knowledge. We know how to diagnose, but do we know how to heal? I love science, but we must understand that most science, especially in medicine, is bogus. Studies are poorly designed; results are cherry-picked to support the authors’ beliefs. The greatest science is the one that explores the soul’s journey through infinity, which is what shamans are concerned with. This is where we discover true healing. Marlaina Donato is an author and recording artist. Connect at AutumnEmbersMusic.com. August 2021

healing ways

iring a life coach can be an empowering decision for people that want to understand themselves better and lead fulfilled lives. Coaches may specialize in distinct topics like business, parenting or weight loss, but, “It’s all life coaching,” says Patrick Williams, a master certified coach by the International Coach Federation, licensed psychologist and founder of the Institute for Life Coach Training. “If I hire a specialist like a wellness coach, I assume they’re going to know something about wellness, but I’m not hiring a consultant to tell me what I should do in diet and exercise. I want to be coached in living a more well life.” According to master certified coach Fran Fisher, with 30 years of experience, “Life coaching is a safe environment or sacred space of unconditional love and acceptance where learning, growth and transformation naturally occur. It’s a partnership of two experts. The client is the expert of the content: who they are, what’s important to them and what they believe, think and feel. The coach is the expert of the process. They’ve been specially trained to help the client access their deeper wisdom and make better choices that align with who they are.”

Unleash Your True Potential

Working with a Life Coach Can Help by Sandra Yeyati

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Going for Gold

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Martha Beck, Ph.D., a Harvard-trained sociologist, renowned coach and bestselling author of The Way of Integrity, says, “Most problems can be resolved by simply talking to someone who is willing to listen compassionately and deeply to whatever is going on in their lives and to give them good feedback. A coach will get you to high levels of happiness, self-fulfillment and self-expression. Unlike therapists, coaches don’t deal with the mentally ill. They deal with the mentally well who want to maximize their performance.” “A coach helps you think and say and dream of things you hadn’t thought before,” says Williams. “I can advise myself all day long, but as soon as I have a conversation with a trained coach, I hear myself differently. I get new ideas, and that motivates me to make change. The value may come monetarily. It may improve someone’s business or money decisions, but it also may come in how you live your life. There may

Life coaching is a safe environment or sacred space of unconditional love and acceptance where learning, growth and transformation naturally occur. be value in having less stress, more time, more fun. Anybody who is motivated to make a change or maybe is in the midst of change and they don’t know what to do; that’s who benefits from coaching.”

Limiting Beliefs and Turtle Steps

According to Beck, one of the most common issues a coach must address is their clients’ limiting beliefs. “It’s about freeing yourself from beliefs that are preventing you from moving forward or convincing you that you can’t have what you want, so you never try,” says Beck. “There’s something in your behavior that’s not allowing you to move forward. Let’s find the behavior, figure out why you’re doing it and change that belief. It’s good old-fashioned problem solving in partnership with the client.” Beck’s favorite tool for making changes is what she calls onedegree turns, or turtle steps, defined as the smallest steps you can take toward a goal. “Research shows that large steps tend to get discouraging,” she notes. “We could do them at the beginning of a

really passionate, goal-seeking time, but we almost never sustain it. If we go in tiny steps toward what we really believe and what we really want, we get there. The tortoise wins the race.”

Achieving Goals and Feeling Free

When it comes to setting and achieving goals, coaches have different approaches. Williams, for example, considers himself an accountability partner. “I won’t punish you if you don’t achieve your goals,” he says. “If you report progress, we celebrate and talk about what’s next. If you say, ‘I didn’t get it done,’ then we talk about what got in the way, what needs to change. We never make the client wrong. It’s what’s true for you.” For Beck, goals take a back seat. “My clients tend to give me goals that are culturally based on what they think they should do. People move forward much more rapidly when you don’t hold them to a goal. When they have permission to do whatever they want, they actually start doing the things that all the goal setting in the world won’t allow them to do. We have such a strong response to freedom. When we feel like we’re forcing ourselves to do something, we won’t do it because it’s not free. When we’re free, we do the things that are best for us.” For more information, visit DrPatWilliams.com, FranFisherCoach. com and MarthaBeck.com. Sandra Yeyati, J.D., is a professional writer. Reach her at SandraYeyati@gmail.com.

Finding the Right Coach The search for a coach often begins online to check credentials, training and experience, and to understand the coach’s approach and personality. “Trust your gut,” says renowned coach and author Martha Beck. “See how you feel when you’re looking at somebody’s website or when you email them and get a response.” Master certified coach Patrick Williams recommends asking for referrals from friends or through the International Coaching Federation (CoachingFederation.org) and the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCCGlobal.org). “A coach should have some level of certification. You want to ask about their training and how long they’ve been coaching,” he says. Most experts recommend interviewing at least three coaches. Many offer a free, 30-minute sample session. “There has to be a feeling of safety and rapport with that person. You want to feel seen and heard,” says master certified coach Fran Fisher. “Any coach worth their salt will help you find out that you already know your path through life, so although you may feel challenged by this person, you should also feel excited, like this could set you free. If a coach gives you a list of things that will never fail you, and it doesn’t feel like freedom to you, and you don’t feel like your real self, find someone else,” Beck says. August 2021

Life Coaching as a Self-Care Modality by Linda Sechrist

hile few individuals might consider life coaching in the category of self-care, Robert Allen, a mental health activist, growth coach and author of Self Care: Let’s Start the Conversation, clarifies that self-care is not just a vacation or spa day, rather it is a preventative practice of caring for oneself more than a response to chaos. He also asserts that selfcare is a lifelong process of knowing our own story and suggests, “It informs our narrative, and that which informs the way we practice self-care stems a great deal from what coping skills and habits we have developed over time.” Based on Allen’s experience and research, when considering modalities to include in a self-care routine it may prove helpful to include a life coach that can assist in shedding light on internal narratives, negative self-talk that interferes with achieving goals, the development of good coping skills and suggestions for the most suitable wellness modalities. Local individuals such as Lori Smith, owner of Balanced Intentions, Rita Davis, owner of Soul Sessions with Rita, and Michele Durham, owner of Access Holistic Healing and Michelle Trias, owner of MyNaturoWellness, all located in Bonita Springs, combine coaching skills with a wellness practice or cutting-edge technology that helps clients expand the scope of possible self-care outcomes.

Balanced Intentions

Twenty years as a nurse specializing in intensive care gave Lori A. Smith a plethora of experience and valuable wisdom that she uses in her current profession as a life coach. Specifically assisting nurses and other caregivers, she works with clients via in-person meetings, phone and Zoom calls to create compassionate care plans for their wellness. Lori A Smith Smith began working toward her coaching certification while still a practicing nurse. She personally found life coaching tremendously helpful in how it informed her narrative. “It gave me permission to make time for looking inwardly regarding what I wanted, where I was in my life, where I wanted to be, how I got there, and what I could do to move forward. Breaking it down into little pieces and actions that moved me forward and beyond was life-changing. Like me, my clients discover that the process is lengthy and that the openended questions I ask aren’t necessarily meant to bring an answer, but to provoke thought,” says Smith. 34

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My NaturoWellness

After approaching her career as a naturopathic consultant from a health science perspective, Michelle Trias was somewhat surprised to find that her clients’ healing journeys required lifestyle coaching almost as much as the protocols that she created for them. “While many clients knew beforehand what I was going to tell them about what they needed to Michelle Trias, Ph.D. do to restore their health, they were frustrated by subconscious blocks holding them back. They would often say, ‘I know I should do this, but.’ After hearing that response on numerous occasions, I knew I needed to shift gears and include lifestyle coaching in my sessions, and that my protocols needed to focus on the issues of self-love and self-care which block healing and cause people to self-sabotage. It can take several onion-peeling sessions for an individual to realize that identifying and addressing these are foundational to following protocols and moving forward,” advises Trias.

Access Holistic Healing

Michele Durham combines her life coaching skills with technology when working with clients in the areas of overall health and wellness as well as transformation, which she specializes in. Durham’s technological toolbelt, which includes the Quantum Healing Hypnosis Technique and Neurolinguistic Programming, allows her to work simultaneously with the conMichele Durham scious and subconscious levels of the mind to help individuals gain insights into themselves. “Insights that come from within are powerful motivators. The kind of technological tools that I use connect the individual to their higher ‘superconscious’ self, the keeper of all past and present knowledge and helps them to intuitively know what it is that may be blocking any unexplained fears, discomforts or health challenges,” says Durham, who also uses technology with binaural beats that induce brainwave entrainment and guided visualization consisting of mental images that depict a client’s desired result of a goal. “We are spiritual beings having a human experience, and there is much more to life that is more important than what we know superficially. Combining life coaching with the technology I use can accelerate change and achievement of goals,” explains Durham.

Soul Sessions with Rita

While Rita Davis might reach for her thought-provoking questions in a reiki session to help an individual uncover the core issue that is the cause of their unhappiness, she rarely needs them. “When someone is on my table for a reiki treatment, I am able to intuit and psychically sense their issues. Thankfully, many of us understand that we are not just a physical body and Rita Davis that our physical symptoms and illnesses begin first in the subtle emotional body, which as an intuitive reiki practitioner, I can psychically sense and see which of the energy centers are blocked or closed. Davis also intuits wellness resources that can complement an individual’s healing journey. “Although energy healing is a passive process for gaining insight, self-care is an interactive process in which the clients must be willing to participate and do their own research into the practitioners, modalities and self-empowering workshops that I recommend or refer them to.

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Balanced Intentions, Brooks Executive Center, 9990 Coconut Rd., Ste. 251, Bonita Springs. 413-636-509. BalancedIntentions.com. See ad, page 19. MyNaturoWellness.com. 239-579-3846. See ad, page 28. Access Holistic Healing & Hypnosis, 27975 Old 41 Rd., Ste. 200, Bonita Springs. 239-776-2211. AccessHolisticHealing.com. See ad, page 29. Soul Sessions With Rita, 941-275-2859, SoulSessionsWithRita.com, See ad, page 17.

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healthy kids

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Back-to-School Wellness Tips to Keep Kids Healthy by Ronica O’Hara

are needing support or are feeling overwhelmed or concerned, they can always talk to you to work through the issue together,” she says.

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Reset bedtime creep

fter a year dealing with the ups and downs of pandemic-era schooling, many parents are anticipating their children’s return to school with mixed emotions. “Families indeed have had a rough time in the pandemic, resulting in increased food insecurity, weakened social skills, splintered attention spans due to constant multitasking and arguments over screen time, yet many families also feel that they grew closer together as they coped with the adversity,” says Jenifer Joy Madden, author of How To Be a Durable Human. As we wave our children off to classes, we can draw on those hard-won, deeper ties by taking steps to ensure our children’s health and well-being. Here are some suggested strategies:

Hold a family sit-down

Meet as a group to talk about schedules and logistics to make sure everyone’s commitments will work together, recommends Erika Beckles Camez, Ph.D., a licensed family therapist in Temecula, California. “Talk as a family about how everyone feels about going back to school and intentionally tell your student that throughout the year if they 36

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“During the summer, bedtime tends to creep later and later. Two weeks before school starts, begin to reset bedtime by reversing the creep by 15 minutes every few nights,” suggests Amber Trueblood, a licensed marriage and family therapist in Culver City, California, and author of Stretch Marks. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children 6 to 12 years of age sleep nine to 12 hours a night and teenagers 13 to 18 sleep eight to 10 hours. Getting enough sleep, it advises, leads to “improved attention, behavior, learning, memory, emotional regulation, quality of life, and mental and physical health.” Sleep experts recommend not allowing kids to be on device screens beginning an hour before bedtime, and perhaps storing devices in another room.

Buoy them with breakfast

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, children that eat a complete breakfast have been shown to work faster, make fewer math mistakes and show improved concentration, alertness, comprehension and memory. “Get in the habit of a healthy breakfast that contains a mix of lean proteins, healthy fats and unrefined carbohydrates and fiber,” advises Amy

Children need healthy, whole-food, nutritious snacks after school to fuel both their bodies and their brain. Spindel, a functional holistic nutritionist in Plano, Texas. “That might be something like eggs scrambled with spinach in olive oil; a smoothie with greens, coconut milk, nut butter, cherries and steamed cauliflower; or a small bowl of steel-cut oatmeal with berries and almond butter alongside some turkey sausage. These types of combinations help promote stable blood sugar until lunchtime, which means your child will be able to focus on learning and social interactions instead of their tummies.”

Satisfy them with healthy snacks

There’s a metabolic reason students head straight for the fridge when they get home—but it’s best if they can’t grab sweets. “Children need healthy, whole-food, nutritious snacks after school to fuel both their bodies and their brain,” says Uma Naidoo, M.D., a Harvard-based nutritional psychiatrist, professional chef and author of This Is Your Brain on Food. To support optimal brain development and help lower kids’ anxiety and hyperactivity levels, she suggests snacks rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins A, B12 and D, and iron and folate, such as: “Fries” cooked in an air fryer to crisp up zucchini, carrots or green beans n Veggie dips or hummus made with chickpeas, carrots, beets or spinach n Almond butter on celery sticks, or seed butter for dipping sweet peppers or apple slices n Homemade fish sticks made by heating salmon pieces in an air fryer n Granola that includes walnuts, chia seeds and flax seeds

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Take allergy precautions

About one in 14 U.S. children has a food allergy. Anisha Angella, an early childhood specialist and author of Easing Allergy Anxiety in Children, recommends taking special precautions with an allergy-prone child, including frequent handwashing; carrying an EpiPen for sudden, severe reactions that require an epinephrine injection; and not sharing foods. “Connect with their teachers,” she advises. “They want to help in any way, too. When a child sees an adult that supports their allergy safety in all environments, they feel comfortable, and that lessens anxiety.” “Readjusting from the pandemic will take patience and perseverance on the part of parents,” says Madden. “Having the family start simple wellness habits can help.” Health writer Ronica O’Hara can be contacted at OHaraRonica@gmail.com.

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Cleanzing Waters Products are Seriously Sustainable by Lisa Marlene

hen Barbara Sabran and her husband Ira founded Cleanzing Company, LLC, in Naples, they were determined to do their part in solving one of the world’s biggest problems, the over-proliferation of plastics in our waterways and oceans and the impact on the creatures that live there and humans. According to the joint study by global consulting firm Dalberg and the University of Newcastle, in Australia, humans ingest on average five grams of plastic weekly, the equivalent of a credit card, and annually a dinner-size plate of tiny pieces of plastic. “While we also wanted to create natural cleaning products for home use, such as our laundry detergent, dish liquid, granite gloss and glass gloss multipurpose cleaner, we also wanted to focus on natural hygiene products for the face, hair and body, such as our hand sanitizer, cleanzing wash, conditioner and moisturizer, as well as being mindful about packaging.” They produce all their products locally. Made with natural, organic ingredients, pH-balanced and hypoallergenic, one of the most eco-friendly Cleanzing Company products is the fragrant, witch hazel-based Cleanzing Waters spray in a sturdy, refillable glass container. It is the perfect replacement for disposable wet wipes that often contain plastic, are not biodegradable, pose a major problem in sewers and find their way into oceans. “Dermatologist-tested and safe for women, men and infants’ bottoms when sprayed on any toilet tissue, it creates a comfortable and hygienic wipe that minimizes any environmental impact,” says Barbara, who adds that scented products are made with only organic essential oils. Fragrance-free, sensitive skin versions of the same products are also available. Cleanzing Company is located at 4707 Enterprise Ave. Cleanzing Company products are available at Food & Thought, located at 2132 Tamiami Tr. N., and at Oakes Farms Seed to Table, located at 4835 Immokalee Rd., in Naples. For more information, visit Cleanzing.com.

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Water Sports for a Total Body Workout Cool Ways to Stay Fit this Summer

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by Marlaina Donato

hether it’s adrenaline-fueled kiteboarding or peaceful paddle boarding, getting active in the water helps to improve bone density, elevates mood and engages major muscle groups without stressing the joints. The highlight of a vacation might be rafting down a river, surfing at sunset or waterskiing on a mountain lake. Whether done regularly or occasionally, water sports offer a good workout disguised as play. While some water sports require a higher level of fitness, most are beginner-friendly and only require the willingness to try something new.

Core Adventures

“Many lifelong skiers call waterskiing the fountain of youth. My friends who are in their 70s, 80s and even 90s that still ski are living proof,” says pro water skier Corey Vaughn, owner of Bum Pass Water Ski Club, in Bumpass, Virginia. “Waterskiing is one of the best total body workouts on the planet, yet you are having so much fun it never feels like a workout.” For Natali Zollinger, a raft guide, river surfer and whitewater stand up paddle boarder, it’s about trusting and working with 40

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the current: “Either rafting or paddling, our core has to engage way more than it would with other sports, and you’ll definitely notice the internal strength.” Based in Moab, Utah, Zollinger says that in only one week, paddling and kayaking produce noticeably more tone in the triceps and biceps, adding, “If you row boats, you’ll see the traps, shoulders and back muscles develop.” Stand up paddle board (SUP) yoga on the water, although seemingly placid, challenges the abdominals and cultivates balance. Christy Naida Linson, yoga instructor and owner of Prana Yoga Center and Aligned Flow Floating Studio, in Denville, New Jersey, says, “Paddling is excellent exercise for the core, back, shoulders, arms and legs. Postures are done in relationship to the current of the water and recruit many of the smaller stabilizing muscles.”

Getting the Feet Wet

SUP yoga is accessible to both new and experienced students that can swim and are comfortable in the water. All postures can be modified to be done in positions lower to the board, such as kneeling, to make balancing easier. “A typical class is 90

Marlaina Donato is an author and composer. Connect at AutumnEmbersMusic.com.

minutes long and begins with instruction on land. We go through paddle strokes and safety, how to get onto the board kneeling, transition to standing when feeling stable, paddle and stop,” says Linson. “The worst thing that happens if you lose your balance is that you go for a little swim!” Fitness requirements for river rafting can vary, depending on the type of trip and location. “Usually a couple months of ‘stair-stepper’ and some squats and lunges will do the trick,” says Zollinger. When it comes to gear, commercial trips offer the most freedom, especially for beginners, she says. “Normally, commercial trips pack all the gear that you need for basic camping, and all you have to bring is your personal gear like clothes, toiletries, etc.” Waterskiing can be a challenge, but learning is easier with proper instruction, optimal equipment, an experienced, skilled boat driver and positive encouragement. “People tell me about Uncle Fred just throwing them behind the boat with a couple of old skis, telling them to hang on tight and then gunning the boat. This is not what I would consider best practices,” says Vaughn. A typical lesson lasts about 30 minutes, involves six to eight passes up and down the lake and includes technical guidance on body positions and timing. For optimal waterskiing, Vaughn prefers private lakes to avoid interruption in the rhythmic flow of skiing that can occur on busier lakes or bodies of saltwater due to boat traffic, winds, tides and currents. Vaughn marvels when everything comes together; “There is nothing quite like the smile of a first-time skier when they get up [on their skis] and realize they are gliding across the water.” In the end, water sports are all about embracing possibilities.“It is a genuine joy to see people who may be new or doubt their ability come away feeling empowered,” says Linson. Zollinger passes on wisdom about time on the water. “The river continuously teaches me to be in the flow and appreciating the little things.”

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hinese massage therapy practiced at Holistic Happy Feet, in Naples, is a holistic approach to health care. As an aspect of Traditional Chinese Medicine for 2,000 years, Chinese massage therapy, which incorporates shiatsu, helps the body repair itself from physical ailments, revitalizes the body and mind, and induces a state of relaxation. Individuals that suffer from chronic pain related to sports injuries benefit from deep tissue shiatsu, an ancient form of massage based on Chinese acupuncture theory that includes the use of breathing and stretching. Although shiatsu can be done with clothes on or on bare skin, it’s better to perform shiatsu on bare skin using light holding to deep physical pressure applied with the palm of the hand or thumb. By stimulating acupuncture points, therapists aim to promote the flow of vital energy, also known as qi. While traditionally trained Chinese

❤ KundaLini Yoga ❤

Once Monthly on Saturdays 1-3pm

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Acupuncture with Singing BowlS

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4949 Tamiami Trail N • Suite 204 • Naples, FL

239-692-9747

www.LoveYogaCenter.com 42

Collier/Lee Counties

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massage therapists are highly skilled in using their hands to feel for tightness and restrictions in the body, individuals are asked prior to treatment to describe the location of the physical problems and any limitations. Muscles need sufficient time to recuperate. Therefore, from a therapeutic perspective, sports enthusiasts are instructed that Chinese massage therapy will not work if the individual returns to the sport while feeling 40 or 50 percent improved after the first treatment. This is because the repetitive muscle movements of body are the cause of the problem, and why a series of 60- to 90-minute treatments are recommended every day or every other day, as well as taking a break from the activity. Holistic Happy Feet Massage is located at 4661 Tamiami Tr. N., in Naples. For more information, call 239-465-0708 or visit HappyFeetMassageNaples.com. See ad, page 21.

inspiration

Smiling Can Make Us Happier by Julie Peterson

rido/AdobeStock.com

smile makes the brain happy. As it turns out, it doesn’t matter if we smile at first because we’re genuinely happy or if we simply fake a smile. The brain doesn’t know the difference. When we are happy, we naturally smile. But research has shown that the act of smiling can also induce happiness. It happens because the muscles required to lift the mouth into the shape of a smile are connected to nerves that send signals to the brain. Once the brain gets the message that a smile is happening, it releases dopamine, endorphins and serotonin throughout the body. These feel-good chemicals make us feel less stressed, less pain and happier, which can effortlessly transform a fake smile into a genuine one. Platitudes through the ages have urged us to “Turn that frown upside down” and “Put on a happy face.” In 1872, Charles Darwin hypothesized that facial feedback could alter emotions and, ever since, the topic of smiling and mood has been a subject of discussion and research. Whether or not forced smiles can have a strong enough impact on our state of mind to effectively boost overall mental health is still being debated, with some research indicating that “false” smiles can lower mood if used continuously to avoid expressing certain feelings; however, there are several more positive aspects of smiling to take into consideration. Smiling is contagious. Seeing other people smile stimulates our mirror neurons, which discharge; they discharge similarly whether we’re doing an action or observing someone else do it. So, being around smiling people, seeing them smile, affects our brains as if we were doing the smiling. Smiling also provides the health benefits of reduced anxiety and lowers both blood pressure and heart rate. Over the long haul, these attributes add up to improved cardiovascular health and a measurable reduction in risk for stroke. Get more smile time by working these muscles at every opportunity. Fake it if you must until it comes naturally, watch funny shows, spend time with cheery people and when things are looking down, grin and bear it. You might just feel better right away, and better long-term health is certainly something to smile about. Julie Peterson is a Random Acts of Kindness activist (RAKtivist.com) and an advisor for Kindness Bank, a nonprofit invested in improving community health and well-being.

w w w. H e a l i n g To u c h P r o g r a m . c o m LeveL 1 CLass heLd on zooM

Learn 12 teChniques to reLieve pain and anxiety Assess the seven chakras and energy fields, and learn ways to maintain balance in your energy system. dates: Thursday Sept 30 2021 7-9 pm EDT Sat/Sun Oct 2-3 2021 10 am – 6:30 pm EDT Nursing CE 16 Cost: $497 Packages are available Learn More Contact Mary Pat for info and to register: marypat@marypatfitzgibbons.com

740-607-4038

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r Not yoeudicine! ym ordinar RecoveR fRom tRying times!

come in to restore and recharge with nutrient iv’s, oxygen, frequency, light, and vibration.

Dr. Doreen DeStefano, DNP, NHD, APRN

12734 Kenwood Lane # 84 Ft Myers, Fl 33907 (239)425-2900 • rtcausesmd.com August 2021

natural pet

Power Up Fido Five Ways to Strengthen Your Dog’s Immune System

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by Shawn Messonnier

long, healthy life for our animal companions depends on them having resilient immune systems that can resist disease. While supporting a dog’s immunity during illness is vital, it’s also important to help it maintain natural defenses when well to help stave off disease. Adopting all five of these suggestions will help promote optimal wellness.

Minimize vaccines

Vaccinations can help prevent disease when the immune system responds appropriately to such treatments. However, when dogs are over-vaccinated, improper immune responses can cause immediate allergic reactions or chronic problems such as autoimmune disorders and even cancer. A simple and inexpensive blood antibody test called a titer can determine if and when a dog may require a vaccine after completing the first adult booster vaccination visit. Dogs with serious and chronic immune disorders should never be vaccinated. 44

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chemicals and 2Minimize medications

Overuse and misuse of chemicals and conventional medications can harm a dog’s body in numerous ways, including causing adverse effects on the immune system. Whenever a chemical product such as a flea preventive or conventional medication like a steroid or antibiotic is needed, we should ask two important questions. First, whether there is a safer, natural alternative to use—there usually is. Secondly, what the lowest dose is to

heal the patient. Usually, lower doses of many chemicals and medications can be used safely and effectively. Some doctors over-prescribe chemicals and medications because of incorrect diagnoses, a lack of knowledge of safer natural therapies and to increase their income.

Feed a great diet

No matter what else is done to keep a dog healthy, it is critical to feed a good, natural diet, either homemade or purchased from a reputable company that specializes in healthy, natural foods. Many pet foods are full of unhealthy ingredients that may not be helpful for a dog’s immune system. Animal and plant byproducts, which typically are scrap from the food processing industry, provide little if any positive health benefits and may actually be harmful to a dog. Added chemicals, flavorings and colorings have no specific wellness attributes and may harm the dog’s DNA through oxidative damage, resulting in various immune problems such as cancers.

Enable exercise

As with people, a sensible exercise program for a dog is important. It keeps the musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems in great shape by mimicking the natural activities that a dog’s wild relatives experience every day. It also strengthens the immune system and builds and enhances the human-dog bond.

5Use supplements

Dogs that receive supplements every day tend to live longer, feel better and act happier. Even when they may have serious problems like cancer from which they may not recover, they are healthier, stronger and happier while battling the disease. Good formulas contain enzymes, probiotics, glucosamine, vitamins, fatty acids and minerals to help support a normal dog’s overall constitution. Choline reduces symptoms in senior animals with cognitive disorder and reduces the chances in normal older animals of developing it. Its use is advisable for

animals with liver disease or diabetes and for those with seizures. Chamomile and tryptophan reduce any type of anxiety or phobia. They can also reduce itching in allergic patients with an obsessive component to their scratching. Olive leaf extract is not only good for immune support, but can also help animals with infections of the ears and skin, making it a good alternative to antibiotics and anti-yeast medications. A cancer and immune support supplement containing scute, cordyceps, poria, American ginseng and coix is good for any animal with an immune disease, chronic infections and especially cancer. These five easy and inexpensive steps to keeping a dog’s immune system healthy will reduce trips to the doctor and extend his life with minimal effort. Shawn Messonnier, DVM, owner of Paws & Claws Animal Hospital and Holistic Pet Center, in Plano, Texas, is the author of several books on veterinary medicine. Visit PawsAndClawsAnimalHospital.com.

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Call Manny! 239-234-9299 5426 Carlton St. Naples, FL 34113 August 2021

calendar of events The events described in this section were scheduled to take place at the time we went to press. Please check ahead to confirm their status.

Reflexology – 10am-noon. Release stress from the whole body through the feet and hands. $50. Register: AOHMassage.com/project/art-holisticmassage-aohm-foundation-3. Ethical Wisdom: – 7-9pm. Relate the field of ethical behavior with several well-known and popular teachers’ timeless guidelines relevant today. Stimulate your thought process about your application of ethics in your personal and professional life. $25. Register: AOHMassage.com/project/aohm-ethicswith-the-masters.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 20

FRIDAY, AUGUST 6

FRIDAY, AUGUST 13

Sound Healing/Breathwork – 10-11am. Fridays thru August. Weekly sound sessions begin with grounding breathwork followed by a short guided visualization meditation and sound bath. Bring a yoga mat or cushion to use to settle into the healing. $20. Goddess I AM 600, Goodlette Rd N, Naples. 228-6949. GoddessIAM.com. GoddessIAm.com.

Psychic Fair – 5-8pm. Mini-readings with some of Naples’ most experienced psychics and healers. Services include mediumship, tarot, reiki, angel, past-life, chakra balancing, intuitive, body scanning, oracle and more. $30/20 minutes. Goddess I AM, 600 Goodlette Rd N, Naples. 228-6949. GoddessIAM.com.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 8

SATURDAY, AUGUST 14

Light Code Activations – 9-10:30am. Join for channeled energy, activations and messages. These activations can be shortcuts to ease and grace, healing and prosperity. $22, Goddess I AM, 600 Goodlette Rd N, Naples. 228-6949. GoddessIAM.com.

Stress-Release Acupressure Self-Care – 9amnoon. Webinar style three-hour class teaches an acupressure protocol (The SEVA Stress Release) that can be used for self-care, general relaxation and well-being or extreme shock and stress. This workshop does not require previous bodywork experience. Chakra Tai Chi. $50. AOHMassage.com/ project/self-help-acupressure-seva-3-hr.

MONDAY, AUGUST 9 Playing with Prana – 5:30-6:30pm. Join Kandy Love in unmasking and moving back into a new normal with the HEPA filter and social distancing. Prana means life force, so playing with prana looks like increasing our breath capacity and playfulness with living. This one-hour class will introduce yogic breath practices, simply and easily, and known to achieve mental, physical and emotional balance. $15. Lotus Blossom Clinic, LLC, 6710 Winkler Rd, Ste 2-3, Ft Myers. Preregister: YoginiKandy62@gmail.com.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11 Good Points Self-Care: Hip, Knee, Foot & Ankle Release Acupressure –7-8pm. With Alvina Quatrano. Webinar style on Zoom. Register: aohmassage. com/project/60-minute-good-points-seva-self-care/ includes Zoom link. Free 29-minute intro video and acupressure protocol will be shared for future reference. $10. 732-266-5276. AOHMassage.com.

Collier/Lee Counties

TUESDAY, AUGUST 17 Women’s Circle – 6-7pm. Do you feel the call to gather with other women? Have you ever wanted to connect with like-minded people? Join to circle up in a safe and sacred space with one another! A place to be yourself, empower others, learn and grow. Free. Mystical Bookshop, 13141 McGregor Blvd, Ste 7, Ft Myers. 338-7816. MysticalBookshop.com.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 4

Shamanism Mentorship Program – 11am-1pm. Your Divine Plan, through Ishwari, provides four archetype lessons in shamanic rituals and ancestral wisdom mentorship. The mentorship is designed for seekers of spirituality; including light workers, Sadhaks or yogis, energy healers and practitioners, ministers, spiritual coaches, massage therapists and other healing modalities. $180/lesson. Mystical Bookshop, 13141 McGregor Blvd, Ste 7, Ft Myers. 338-7816. YourDivinePlan.net/services/shamanicrituals-and-wisdom-mentorship.

modality of acupressure. It was formulated honoring the sacredness of the female. 3 CEs, MTs offered as self-care. $65. AOHMassage.com/project/thewomens-health-protocol.

Project Nature Connect – 10am. A nonverbal nature connect experience with facilitator and educator Janet Weisberg. Cambier Park, in Naples. Attendees will gain an appreciation of nonverbal understanding and experiencing of life and nature through bodily senses, many of which are noticed for the first time through experiential, PNC nonverbal exercises. Cambier Park, 755 Eighth Ave S, Naples. Info/ register: Janet_PeacePrevail@me.com. See news brief, page 13. Mercato Hand & Harvest Indoor Market – 10am-2pm. Hempra will offer a market discount on all products; top quality hemp-CBD brands from around the country for your self-care needs! From professional skincare to combating daily stresses and restless sleep. Mercato Plaza, 9118 Strada Pl, Ste 3135, Naples. 778-8738. See Hempra ad, page 12. SWFL Community Drum Circle – 6:30-9pm. Meets biweekly (also Aug 28). Drummers of all nations and spectators are welcome to attend for community drumming, dancing, hula-hooping and self-expression. Family friendly. BYO chair. Check Facebook for updates. Free. Cambier Park, 755 8th Ave S, Naples. Facebook group: SWFL Community Drum Circle.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 15 Women’s Health Acupressure Webinar – 9amnoon. A proactive approach to the health and well-being of all women, using the ancient healing

swfl.NaturalAwakenings.com

Psychic Development Course – 6-7:30pm. Learn to unlock your psychic powers with hands-on training from an experienced practitioner. Main focus on developing “The Sight” or psychic vision, learning to sense energy, and how to see the aura. $50. Goddess I AM 600, Goodlette Rd N, Naples. 228-6949. GoddessIAM.com. GoddessIAm.com.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 21 Spirit Fest: Metaphysical and Holistic Fair – Aug 21-22. 10am-6pm. Enjoy 100 booths with vendors, practitioners, intuitive readers, artists, and demonstrations. Something for everyone. Speakers throughout both days on a variety of topics. $15/ entry fee. Children 12 & under free. Vendor opportunities still available. Visit SanctuaryFL.com. Charlotte Harbor Event Center, 75 Taylor St, Punta Gorda. See news brief on page 13 and ad on page 42. Psychic Fair – 11am-4pm. Mini-readings with some of Naples’ most experienced psychics and healers. Services include mediumship, tarot, reiki, angel, past-life, chakra balancing, intuitive, body scanning, oracle and more. $30/20 minutes. Goddess I AM, 600 Goodlette Rd N, Naples. 228-6949. GoddessIAM.com. Intuitive Abstract Art Workshop – 4-6pm. Practice an intuitive creative process in a fun and compassionate atmosphere while creating a beautiful work of art that is all you! Heather will guide participants through an abstract painting process layer by layer to embrace your unique style while suggesting different techniques to use. No experience needed, just an open mind and good vibes. All supplies included. $40/person. Mystical Bookshop, 13141 McGregor Blvd, Ste 7, Ft Myers. 239-3387816. Register: Heatheryish.com/services.

MONDAY, AUGUST 23 Claim your Calm - Let’s Talk About Breathing! – 5:30-6:30pm. Deepen your awareness of the power of your natural breath by exploring how anatomy and breath, touch and movement all work together to Claim your Calm in these continuing trying times. No prior experience necessary. $15. Lotus Blossom Clinic, LLC, 6710 Winkler Rd, Ste 2-3, Ft Myers. Preregister: YoginiKandy62@gmail.com.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 26 Ultrasonic Cavitation Presentation – 3pm. Join for a special in-person and Zoom presentation on ultrasonic cavitation (liposuction), a recently added service. Attendees of either forum will learn how the 30- or 60-minute treatment, provided through September in two special discount plans and packages, can be combined with laser lymphatic drainage

ongoing events

sunday to help the body release toxins and fat. Purely You Spa, 3066 Tamiami Tr N, Ste 302. Info/RSVP: 3318266, Jenn@PurelyYouSpa.com, or PurelyYouSpa. com. See ad on page 5 and news brief on page 11.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 27 Recovery Circle – 6-7pm. Whether you are currently in recovery from substances or looking for support recovering from trauma, we welcome all comers in a safe and sacred space. The Recovery Circle is for those looking for healing and joy. Meets every 4th Friday of the month. Free. Mystical Bookshop, 13141 McGregor Blvd, Ste 7, Ft Myers. 338-7816. MysticalBookShop.com.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 28 SWFL Community Drum Circle – 6:30-9pm. Meets biweekly. Drummers of all nations and spectators are welcome to attend for community drumming, dancing, hula-hooping and self-expression. Family friendly. BYO chair. Check Facebook for updates. Free. Cambier Park, 755 8th Ave S, Naples. Facebook group: SWFL Community Drum Circle.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 29 Vegan Potluck – 2pm. Hosted by Sue Mahany of Spark Health Technologies. Spark Health is a certified Blue Zones organization and supports their mission of increasing the amount of plants in people’s diets. All dishes, both savory and sweet, welcomed. Organic ingredients preferred. Call or text 802-7526342 to sign up. See news brief on page 12.

plan ahead SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 Southwest Florida Peace Day Celebration – 10am-5pm. Themed Come Together to connect like-minded people in the name of peace after a year apart due to the pandemic. Free crystal bowl therapy and performances in the new Oasis of Peace Zone to contemplate and experience inner peace. Early morning yoga and qigong, local vendors, unique artisans, nonprofits, live art, music, food and pet food and supply drives, onsite service by Life Escape Counseling’s Charity Godfrey and other staff members, free reiki, free introductory acupuncture and kids’ activities, including rides. Wa-Ka-Hatchee Park, 16760 Bass Rd, Ft Myers. Info: 560-5224 or swfl4peace@email.com. See news brief on page 10.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 Healing Touch Level I Class –7-9pm. Also Oct 2-3; 10am-6:30pm. With Mary Pat Fitzgibbons. Learn 12 techniques to relieve pain and anxiety. Assess the seven chakras and energy fields, and learn ways to maintain balance in your energy system. $497. 16 nursing CE’s. Register: MaryPat@marypatfitzgibbons.com or 740-607-4038. HealingTouchProgram. com. See ad on page 43.

Community Yoga – 8:30-9:30am. Free the first Sunday of every month. Weekly classes include Monday and Friday at 9am, Wednesday at 6:15pm, and Sunday at 10:30am. $20/class with package deals available at MysticalBookshop.com. Free. Jaycee Park, 4125 SE 20th Pl, Cape Coral. 338-7816. Learn Access Bars and Become a Practitioner – 9am-5pm. 3rd Sun. Become a certified practitioner in one day. Learn the 32 points on the head that when gently touched, release thoughts, feelings and emotions that keep us blocked. Class includes: book, three head charts, two giving and two receiving sessions. $350. Access Holistic Healing and Hypnosis, 9853 Tamiami Tr N, Ste 215, Naples. 776-2211. AccessHolisticHealing.com/access-bars. Sunday Night Spiritual Gathering – 5:30-7pm. A Zoom venue for spiritual seekers to gather and have positive conversations. We teach and practice affirmative prayer and embrace our inherent divinity. Our principles are positivity as we work through life’s puzzles. Obtain link by emailing: RevLuluLogan@gmail.com. Free (love offerings accepted). RevLulu.org. Fort Myers Drum Circle – 7-9pm. Dance, drum, hoop or just enjoy the beats. Bring your own chair. Downtown Fort Myers Regional Library, 2450 First St, Ft Myers. Facebook page: Fort Myers Drum Circle. Info: Facebook.com/groups/fortmyersdrumcircle.

monday Gentle Flow Yoga – 7pm. With Chrissie. Love Yoga Center, 4949 Tamiami Tr N, Ste 204, Naples. 692-9747. LoveYogaCenter.com.

tuesday Reiki Share with Chat Rooms – 6:30-8pm. 1st Tues. Join for monthly reiki share online using distance reiki. Begins with a Holy Fire meditation and then chat rooms for private sessions. Donation. Register by email to receive the Zoom link: Pattie@ pcarney.net. Multidimensional Healing Group – 6:30-8pm on Zoom. Connecting and healing with spirit guides and loved ones in spirit. Mediumship master Patti Wilson facilitates therapeutic conversations with loved ones that have crossed over and helps you develop your own abilities in multidimensional communication. $30/class or $100/4-classes. Register: 270-1876, SpiritualCoach@hotmail.com.

own healing energy. $15. Lotus Blossom Clinic, LLC, 6710 Winkler Rd, Ste 2-3, Ft Myers. Register: 277-1399. Mommy and Me Yoga – 3-4pm. Led by Sidnie Sharp. $12/session. Yogita Yoga Boutique, 12870 Trade Way Four, Ste 110, Bonita Springs. Info/ register: 940-2777. Gentle Flow Yoga – 7pm. With Karen. Love Yoga Center, 4949 Tamiami Tr N, Ste 204, Naples. LoveYogaCenter.com.

thursday Men’s Circle – 6-7pm. 4th Thur. In this safe and sacred space, we endeavor to bring forth courageous and compassionate discussion. The design of this circle is to enable men to be themselves without the toxicity that often infects day-to-day masculinity. Instead of tearing each other down, we will support and elevate one another. Free. Mystical Bookshop, 13141 McGregor Blvd., Suite 7, Ft Myers. 239-338-7816. MysticalBookshop. com/events-calendar. Crystal Bowl Meditation – 6:45-7:45pm. In person with Jenny Hong. Participants will comfortably lie down or sit while the frequencies reverberate throughout the body, promoting deep relaxation and healing on all levels. Physical distancing and face masks required. $15. Lotus Blossom Clinic, LLC, 6710 Winkler Rd, Ste 2-3, Ft Myers. 277-1399. Preregister: JennyLotusBlossom@gmail.com. LotusBlossomClinic.com/events. Gentle Flow Yoga – 7-8pm. With Megan. Love Yoga Center, 4949 Tamiami Tr N, Naples. 6929747. LoveYogaCenter.com.

friday Love Rocks – 6pm. With Chrissie. Love Yoga Center, 4949 Tamiami Tr N, Naples. 692-9747. LoveYogaCenter.com.

saturday SWFL Community Drum Circle – 6:30-9pm. Meets biweekly (Aug 14 & 28). Drummers of all nations and spectators are welcome to attend for community drumming, dancing, hula-hooping and self-expression. Family friendly. BYO chair. Check Facebook for updates. Free. Cambier Park, 755 8th Ave S, Naples. Facebook group: SWFL Community Drum Circle.

Sunset Slowdown – 7-8pm. With Nancy. 7pm. With Chrissie. Love Yoga Center, 4949 Tamiami Tr N, Ste 204, Naples. 692-9747. LoveYogaCenter.com.

wednesday Qigong – 10-11am. Join JaySun (Jason) Wechs in person to learn and practice the ancient art of qigong (Sheng Shen form), a spiritual form of the practice. Qigong has been taught in China for thousands of years. Experience and expand your

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community resource guide

COLON THERAPY

Connecting you to the leaders in natural health care and green living in our community. To find out how you can be included in the Community Resource Guide email NAadvertising@naturalawakeningsmag.com to request our media kit.

ACUPUNCTURE

BODYWORK

ACUPUNCTURE CENTER OF NAPLES

ART OF HOLISTIC MASSAGE Est. 1991

Licensed acupuncture physician with 28 years experience in acupuncture and Chinese medicine. Experienced in pain management, women’s health, insomnia, migraines, digestion issues and much more. See ad, page 6.

Remote sessions by donation during COVID-19 call or Zoom. Zero Balancing, Process Acupressure, Reiki. Webinar classes all discounted; call for registration. Reflexology, SEVA Stress Release, Insomnia, MT’s get CEs. Free self-massage video at AOHMassage.com.

Dr. Xiu Qiong Cen, AP, OMD (China) 5683 Naples Blvd, Naples 34109 P: 239-513-9232 • F: 239-513-9293 DrCenAcupuncture@gmail.com

LOTUS BLOSSOM CLINIC

Acupuncture – Oriental Medicine David Martin, AP, DOM Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Estero, Bonita 239-277-1399 • LotusBlossomClinic.com Offering acupuncture treatment to U.S. Veterans at no out-ofpocket cost. Requires referral thru a V.A. doctor. Dr. David Martin, AP, treats pain, other chronic conditions and PTSD using acupuncture, e-stim, cold laser, acupressure and Chinese medical massage. See ad, page 35.

PHYLLIS C. WEBER, AP

Acupuncture/Oriental Medicine 6249 Presidential Ct, Ste E, Ft Myers 33919 239-841-6611 • GulfCoastAcupuncture.com Specializing in pain, chronic disorders, overall wellness, allergy treatments (NAET) and kinesiology. Acupuncture stimulates the body’s ability to heal all on its own! AP771.

AYURVEDA CHRISTINA CARLIN, AYURVEDIC PRACTITIONER

Ayurveda Clinic, Massage & Yoga Therapy 501 Goodlette-Frank Rd N, Ste A107, Naples 34102 • 239-450-6903 Practicing holistic medicine since 1987. Professional Member of the National Ayurvedic Medical Association, specializing in highly personalized Ayurvedic treatments and lifestyle consultations, Massage and individual Yoga sessions for chronic and acute problems. Pancha Karma, Shirodhara and skin care. Ayurveda and Yoga Study program available. MA0023929, MM0008584, FB0716888. See ad, page 6.

Alvina Quatrano, LMT FL MA 50896 For Info or Appt: 732-266-5276 AOHMassage.com

PAULA TERRY, LMT

239-821-3088, by appt. (Collier & Lee) Trained at the Upledger Institute, Paula utilizes CranioSacral Therapy combined with Heart-Centered Therapy, Somato Emotional Release™, Lymphatic Drainage, love and nurturement to foster the healing your body needs. Doula services. MA35358.

STUART WRIGHT, ND

Certified Advanced Rolfer Advanced Cranial Therapist Advanced Visceral Therapist Certified Movement Educator Naturopathic Wellness Consulting By Appointment: 239-272-6443 Over 30 years excelling in quick pain relief. Specializing in back pain, structural integration & alignment, all joint-pain-related issues, mobility improvement, sports injuries, non-chiropractic spinal release. MA36890.

CHIROPRACTOR NETWORK CHIROPRACTOR Dr. Michele Pelletiere 3411 Bonita Beach Rd, Ste 302, Bonita Springs • 239-949-1222

N.S.A. Practitioner level III. “Healing waves” release tension throughout the body, increasing wellness and quality of life, promoting new strategies for a healthy spine and nervous system.

RB INSTITUTE, INC.

C. Robyn Berry, LMT, CRR, CCT, CLDT 13550 Reflections Pkwy, 5-502 & 5-503, Ft Myers • 239-939-4646 • RobynBerry.com Since 1994, gravity-enclosed UV/ Oxygen/Ozone sterilized medicalgrade water colonics, therapeutic, relaxing, chair, sports, prenatal massage, Craniosacral/SER, Heart Centered therapy, manual lymph drainage & XP2 System, visceral manipulation, HALO Photonic Blue-Violet Laser Botanical System, Asyra/Quest4 MSA Bio Meridian Stress Analysis, ear candling, Lakota YLEO Raindrop Therapy, Tuning Fork/Crystal/Bowls Therapy, reflexology, MPS, cupping, ozone steam cabinet and applied ozone therapies, infrared sauna, ionic foot detox by AMD, BEMER sessions, Power Plate, Hyperbaric Chamber, PER 2000 PEMF and notary. MM7376. See ad, page 33.

DENTAL HEALTH ROGER J. PINT, MPH, DMD

9200 Bonita Beach Rd, Ste 111 Bonita Springs, 34135 • 239-676-8730 BonitaDentalStudio.com Dr. Pint can join your health journey and play a role in minimizing toxicity; this includes protection while removing dental materials plus consultation. All X-rays are digital and minimal. See ad, page 19.

FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE NAPLES CENTER FOR FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE

Eduardo Maristany, MD 800 Goodlette Rd N, Ste 270, Naples 34102 239-649-7400 • NaplesCFM.com Eduardo Maristany, M.D. is a board-certified internal medicine physician trained in functional/integrative medicine, genomic interpretation, and anti-aging. Dr. Maristany incorporates genomic intelligence and cutting-edge tools to provide his patients with comprehensive genetic health risks and benefits, and a personalized health plan for optimal wellness. See ad, page 51.

NAPLES CENTER FOR FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE

Carol L. Roberts, MD 800 Goodlette Rd N, Ste 270, Naples 34102 239-649-7400 • NaplesCFM.com Carol L. Roberts, M.D. has practiced functional/integrative/holistic medicine for 25 years. She provides patients with testing to uncover causes of chronic illness, guidance in resolving health issues and education to assist the patient in her own healing. She is Medical Director at the Naples Center for Functional Medicine, formerly the Hughes Center. See ad, page 51.

August 2021

ZORAYDA “JIJI” TORRES, MD, ABIHM, IFMCP

Internal Medicine, Functional Medicine Office: 239-444-5636 • UpstreamMD.com Dr. Torres is a board-certified internist with over 17 years of experience and knows the limitations of conventional internal medicine. She is among the few Certified Practitioner M.D.s, trained by the Institute For Functional Medicine. See ad, page 12.

NATURAL & ORGANIC MARKET ADA’S NATURAL MARKET

7070 College Pkwy, Ft Myers 33907 Mon-Sat: 9am-8pm, Sun: 9am-7pm Ph: 239-939-9600 • Fax: 239-288-6210 AdasMarket.com Natural and organic produce and grocery items. Vitamins and supplements. Organic juice and smoothie bar. New Green Leaf Café. Market-prepared foods. 1000s of gluten-free items. See ad, page 25.

HEALTHY DINING FOOD & THOUGHT ORGANIC FARM MARKET & CAFÉ

2132 Tamiami Trl N, Naples 239-213-2222 • FoodAndThought.com Open Mon-Sat 7am-8pm. Florida’s only 100% organic market and café. Fresh produce delivered daily. Homemade breakfast, lunch and dinner. See ad, page 10.

HOLISTIC CENTER ACCESS HOLISTIC HEALING & HYPNOSIS Michele Durham, CH, MBA 27975 Old 41 Rd, Ste 200, Bonita Springs, 34135 office: 239-301-3501 • cell: 239-776-2211 AccessHolisticHealing.com

Specializing in hypnosis, QHHT, NLP, SRT. Offering sound and light therapy, massage therapy, reiki, access bars, salt therapy, Conscious1Vibe crystals and bookstore. Joined by Dr. Daniel Stanciu offering IV Infusions and nutrition testing. See ad, page 29.

BUSINESS BLOOMS when you advertise with us. 239-272-8155

EYES WIDE OPEN

239-948-9444 • ewollc@yahoo.com SilviaCasabianca.com Neuroscience-based, holistic counseling (via televideo) to help you regulate emotions, cope with change, stress, depression or anxiety. Empathic parenting guidance. Sliding scale. Online CEUs for health professionals. Call for further information.

LIFE COACH LULU CARTER

Top Expert in Science of Happiness Positive Pyschologist Coach – 30 Years of Experience Chief Happiness Officer/President of House of Gaia 239-290-7008 • Lulu@HouseOfGaia.org HappinessBeyondBorders.com HouseOfGaia.org Ready for positive changes in your life in 2021? First session is free – call to schedule. Private sessions on-line, affordable packages. Get inspired, learn, transform and be happy! English, Spanish and Portuguese. See ad, page 37.

Collier/Lee Counties

swfl.NaturalAwakenings.com

NATURAL AND ORGANIC PRODUCTS ANATTA

447 Broadway, Ste 204 New York City, NY 10013 347-762-1268 • AnattaMarket.com Anatta is a global online marketplace for natural, organic and raw products from farmers worldwide. The newly-formed company’s products include a variety of essential oils and waters, and its unique business model eliminates overhead costs by connecting customers directly with farmers.

NUTRITION D-SIGNED NUTRITION, LLC

Dee Harris, RDN, LDN, CDE Bonita Bay Executive Center 3531 Bonita Bay Blvd, Ste 300, Bonita Sprgs 239-676-5249 • D-SignedNutrition.com Nutrition is our lifeblood. Healing with food starts with a personalized plan to address inflammation, nutrient insufficiencies, toxic burden and imbalances in the body. See ad, page 15.

MARCY HESS, BS

501 Goodlette Rd N, Ste C208, Naples 239-231-6028 ThePerfect10Strength@gmail.com Looking and feeling strong and healthy is the first reason for working with a nutrition coach. Let me help you get back on track for life without dieting! See ad, page 39.

YOGA MEREDITH MUSICK, LMT, E-RYT 2000 239-269-8846

Master Yoga Teacher and massage therapist with 28 years experience, serving Naples since 1999. Sun-damaged skin repair clinician, Hawaiian Lomi Lomi massage, sports and neuromuscular therapy, cranio facial and TMJ relief, heal injuries. Improve posture: alignmentbased yoga and posture classes.

classifieds Fee for classifieds is a minimum charge of $25 for up to the first 20 words and $1 for each additional word. Must be pre-paid. Email listing, include billing contact info, by 10th of month prior to publication to: NAClassifieds@ NaturalAwakenings.com.

FOR RENT LUXURY TREATMENT OFFICES – For lease in Castello Professional Center near U.S. 41 and Pine Ridge. Perfect for massage or similar. From $420/month. 239-398-5578. SERVICES SOUNDS OF CELEBRATIONS & HEALING – By JamesSteven Farnsworth. The Fiddle Flowers Fiddle Gram. Gift of 12 beautiful roses in a vase and gift card, plus a lovely miniconcert of violin/fiddle music. Special intro price: $55 local delivery. Additional services: Artistic violin performance: weddings and all special events. The Healing Violin: transformative sound therapy for the elderly and those affected by physical and mental disabilities. Graceful Passages: Funerals and end-of-life celebrations. Call/text: 510-292-7786, JsfViolin@gmail.com. TheHealingViolin.com.

Promote your special service, class or event in our print and online calendar. Easy to use! Affordable options. Visit swfl.naturalawakenings. com/pages/calendarlistings.

GROWYour Business Secure your ad spot! Contact us for special ad rates: 239-272-8155

August 2021

Natural Awakenings Fort Myers/Naples Florida- August 2021

Articles inside

BACK-TO-SCHOOL WELLNESS

SMILING CAN MAKE US HAPPIER

WATER SPORTS FOR A TOTAL BODY WORKOUT

UNLEASH YOUR TRUE POTENTIAL